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Page 2 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
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Page 4 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
Mavericks open season with convincing win over Pearland By Stephen Collins Sports Editor So much for anyone thinking they have Manvel automatically neutralized, if they somehow find a way to stop their explosive passing attack during 2017. The Mavericks showed they could grind it out on the ground with the best in the season opener, gashing Pearland for 362 rushing yards to capture a convincing 45-7 victory at AISD Memorial Stadium to spoil James Farmer’s head coaching debut for the Oilers. Manvel, which was playing without starting quarterback Kason Martin (injured left hand), dominated the neighboring Oilers on both sides of the ball. The Mavs held Pearland to only 33 total yards and one first down during the initial 24 minutes, while building a comfortable three-touchdown cushion by halftime. “That may be a Manvel record,” said Martin when told his team ran the ball an uncharacteristic 28 straight times to start the contest. “I think in football, if you’re going to be good, you got to be able to do both (pass and run). With Kason hurt, (junior) Josh Coltrin is certainly capable and he will get better and better, but I felt like in this big of a game, we needed to go with Jalen (Pres-
ton). He’s been in the fire before.” Taking snaps from the wildcat formation, Preston hammered the Oilers’ defense for a game-high 112 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns. Ladarius Owens also crossed the triple digit barrier with 101 yards on 11 carries and one TD and Garrison Johnson just missed making it a 100-yard threesome in his Maverick debut with 89 yards on 14 carries and one TD. “I was real comfortable in the wildcat,” Preston said. “We’ve actually been working on it for a couple of weeks, first in the scrimmage against Katy and it came out again tonight. The O-line just dominated. I never thought we would begin a game with over 20 runs, but we did it and executed what the coach had planned.” The plan immediately worked to perfection with the Mavs forcing a three-and-out
Jalen Preston shrugs off a defender for extra yards in a game against Cedar Park. Preston filled in at quarterback to open the season and ran for 112 yards and three touchdowns to lead Manvel over Pearland. (Photo by Debbie Wilson)
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from Pearland and driving 66 yards in 11 plays for the game’s first score. Preston motored in from 9 yards out. Luis Moreno booted the PAT through the uprights for a 7-0 Manvel lead with 5:51 left in the opening period. Pearland continued to struggle on offense during its next series, paving the way for the Mavs to stick it back into the endzone nine plays later. Preston crossed the goaline from the two and Moreno added the extra point to make it 14-0 with a minute still remaining in the first. “I didn’t know how long it would go,” said Martin about the wildcat formation. “We planned on using it for a series and then the series went well, so we used it for the next series and the next. It worked out real well. He (Preston) did a good job and handed it off to some of those other monsters. “Both our offensive and defensive lines played great. I thought our linebackers really flew to the ball. We played great in all phases.” Johnson powered in from the three during the second period to make it 21-0 at intermission and the Mavs continued to pad their cushion in the second half. Preston’s 7-yard ramble capped a five-play, 50-yard march to begin the third quarter, while Owens’ 18-yard dash gave Manvel a 35-0 lead into the fourth. After the Mavs stopped the Oilers’ biggest scoring threat on downs inside their own 43-yard line, Coltrin (7 of 10 completions for 103 yards, 1 TD) then hit Terrance Norman Jr., who turned a short screen pass into a 24-yard catch-and-run trip to the end zone. Moreno drilled a 39-yard field goal to extend Manvel’s lead to 45-0 late in the final period. The Oilers avoided being shutout for a second straight year by the Mavs on Landry Austin’s 2-yard run in the closing moments.
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 5
Last-second field goal lifts Manvel over North Shore By Stephen Collins Sports Editor Manvel and North Shore didn’t exactly draw up a work of art on the gridiron in week 2. That being said, the two Houston area football powerhouses still provided fans with another cliff-hanging finish in the longstanding rivalry. Sophomore Luis Moreno hammered a game-winning 25-yard field goal through the uprights as time ran out to lift the Mavericks to a dramatic 24-21 triumph at AISD Memorial Stadium. Improving to 2-0 for the season, Manvel drove 40 yards in seven plays during the closing moments to set up Moreno’s decisive kick. Jalen Preston dashed 32 yards with the North Shore kickoff just past midfield, while quarterback Kason Martin hit Warren Laster with a 24-yard completion for the other big play in the series. “I’m proud of my kids. They just kept fighting, scratching and clawing,” Manvel head coach Kirk Martin said following the game. “They found a way to win. It was sloppy. There were a lot of penalties, some
turnovers and bad third-down defense. We just didn’t play well offensively. We did enough to win, but I thought we would play better. “They’re a good team and they had a lot to do with it.” “Coach Martin just told me to keep my head down like I do in practice,” Moreno said. “I was nervous, but it was just another kick. I was thinking, I got to make this, I got to make this.” Both defenses dominated early on, forcing a combined five three-and-out series to start the contest. The Mustangs (0-2) drew first blood on Isaac Cerda’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Darion McDaniel late in the opening period. John Villalobos added the extra point for 7-0 North Shore lead. Kason Martin (10 of 21 for 241 yards, three TD’s), who was playing the first time under center for Manvel, since breaking his left hand last month, initially struggled with six straight incompletions to start things. However, the Mavs’ senior signal caller answered on the next series by nailing Kam Scott (three receptions for 131 yards, 2 TD’s) on a 14-yard slant and Moreno’s PAT tied it at 7 with 8:58 remaining in the second period. After the Mavs’ defense
forced a quick three-and-out, Martin hooked up with Scott again for a spectacular 77-yard touchdown fling to give Manvel its first lead. Scott gathered the reception just past midfield and shed a North Shore defender at the 35-yard line to race the remaining distance untouched. “I was just trying to make a play,” said Scott, who also hauled in the game-winning 60-yard TD pass from Martin against North Shore last year in Houston. “Kason put it out in front of me and I just had to go get it. I like playing against good teams, so I play to the highest.” North Shore retied it on Zach Evans’ 8-yard run on their next series and had a chance to take the upper hand into the dressing room, but Villalobos hooked a 38-yard field goal attempt wide right to close the first half. While Martin and Scott teamed again for a 30-yard completion deep inside Mustangs’ territory early in the third quarter, the Mavs were unable to capitalize on the big play. The Mustangs took their shot at regaining the upper hand several minutes later on a fourthand-one at the MHS 43-yard line. However, Manvel linebacker Depriest Taylor foiled a quick snap sneak attempt by Cerda and dropped the North Shore QB for a one-yard loss to turn the ball over on downs. “I knew it was fourth and short and my team needed a stop,” Taylor said. “I saw the
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audible (by Cerda). I expected him to do the option and give it to the running back, but when I saw him run down under center quick, I just ran down to make the play.” “Taylor just shot out like a cannon on the play. Coach (Kevin) Hall and our defensive coaches also did a great job recognizing what they were going to do,” Kirk Martin said. Taylor’s stop immediately sparked the Mavs’ offense, as Kason Martin drilled Preston (six receptions for 113 yards) with a quick screen and the senior receiver motored 58 yards untouched down the right sidelines to make it 20-14 on the third quarter’s final play. Manvel appeared to have the contest wrapped up with under five minutes left to play in the game, when Preston exploded 65 yards on a punt return to the endzone. However, the Mavs were flagged for an illegal block to negate the score and Martin was flagged a little later for intentionally grounding the ball during the ensuing series to force Manvel to punt the ball away from their own endzone. The Mustangs drove down for the tying score with Cerda finding Ralph Davis from 22 yards out, but North Shore still left 1:28 on the clock for Moreno and the Mavs to deliver their final damage. “I told our kids that they left too much time on the clock and to go down and score,” Martin said.
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Luis Moreno drills a kick from the hold of Warren Laster. Against North Shore, Moreno hit a 25-yard field goal as time expired to lift Manvel to victory. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
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Page 6 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
A reason to celebrate
Manvel fans cheer on their team during the Mavericks’ run to the state championship game. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
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Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 7
Mavericks crush Willowridge in district opener, 70-14 By Stephen Collins Sports Editor Quarterback Kason Martin was back in the groove, and the Manvel Mavericks never lost theirs, manhandling Willowridge 70-14 in the District 23-5A football opener for both teams at AISD Memorial Stadium. Improving to 3-0 overall for the season, the Mavericks totally dominated the contest throughout, outgaining the Eagles in total yardage 481 to 189. Martin just missed triple digit efficiency under center, completing 13 of 14 passes for 321 yards and five touchdowns, all of which came during the first half. The senior signal caller admitted to being more comfortable in his second game back since suffering a broken left hand back in late August. “Willowridge had a lot of great players out there. We just had guys in the right spots,” said Martin, who had five screws and a plate inserted into his non-throwing hand following the injury. “The O-Line blocked well enough for me to hit them (receivers). I was rusty and a bit nervous this past week and that’s no way to enter a game. You got to enter confident. I knew if we came out balling like we did tonight, we would come out on top.” Jalen Preston immediately put the Martin and the Manvel offense in good position with a 39-yard return of the opening kickoff to the Willowridge 44-yard line. Kam Scott dashed 43 yards on a hit screen pass from Martin and Ladarius Owens scored on the next play just 48 seconds into the contest. Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights to make it 7-0. Already overmatched by Manvel, the Eagles made things worse Quarterback Kason Martin takes the snap during a game against Temple. Against Willowridge, Martin threw for by self-destructing on their next possession. A low snap skipped 321 yards in just one half. (Courtesy photo) past Willowridge punter Abraham Veliz, allowing the Mavs to take over at the Eagles’ three-yard line. Owens went in untouched into the end zone on the next play for a 13-0 Mavs’ lead. “Our kids played real well and they (Willowridge) had some errors, which was unfortunate for them,” Manvel head coach Kirk Martin said. “We got a couple of quick turnovers and converted them into points. We had some quick strikes and it really got out of hand.” The Eagles ultimately found things getting out of hand just in the opening period alone. Manvel recovered a fumble from Willowridge QB Christian Carter, paving the way for Martin to nail a wide-open Preston across the middle on the ensuing play. The senior receiver sprinted the remaining distance to complete a 36-yard catch-and-run trip to the goaline midway in the first. Another 1-yard run by Owens and Martin’s 8-yard fling to Scott in the endzone increased the margin to a 35-0 rout heading into the second period. After Martin teamed with Colbey Washington on a 27-yard TD strike, the Eagles finally got on the board with Carter’s 12-yard keeper with 8:31 remaining. Carter proved to be Willowridge’s lone offensive spark with 114 yards on 15 carries Carter’s TD was answered a little over a minute later, though, by Washington’s 14-yard reception, while Eric Hebert grabbed 60-yard TD bomb from Martin and Deneric Prince scooted 43 yards to push the margin to a lopsided 63-7 count at the break. With the game well in hand, both teams agreed to switch to a moving clock during the second half and traded touchdowns. London Bennett returned a fumble 31 yards for Willowridge and Adarius Jones scored from a yard out for Manvel.
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Page 8 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
A team effort
The Manvel defense swarms to stop a runner against Houston Madison. Below, teammates celebrate a touchdown. (Top photo by Albert Villegas, bottom photo by Debbie Wilson)
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 9
Mavericks use run game to top Galveston Ball, 35-7 By Stephen Collins Sports Editor Tuning up for their big road showdown with Fort Bend Marshall, the Manvel Mavericks erupted for 21 secondhalf points to pull away from Galveston Ball for a 35-7 triumph at Kermit Courville Stadium. The Mavs (4-0 overall, 2-0 in 23-5A) compiled 274 yards on the ground with senior tailback Deneric Prince rushing for 123 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. Ladarius Owens just missed the triple digit barrier with 92 yards and two TDs. Kason Martin’s 30-yard pass to Jalen Preston provided the key play in Manvel’s 96yard drive for the game’s first points, while Warren Laster also grabbed three receptions in the series. Martin (9 of 19 for 78 yards) capped things with a 12-yard keeper with 5:30 left in the opening period. Luis Moreno booted the ex-
tra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Manvel lead. After Manvel forced a threeand-out from the Tors, Ball High was flagged for not giving the Mavs enough room on the receiving end of a punt to put the ball deep in Galveston territory. Owens then dashed 21 yards to the end zone with 2:55 remaining in the first. Owens’ PAT increased the margin to 14-0. However, Ball High hung tough and managed to cut the gap in half following a Manvel turnover late in the second quarter. Clarence Dalton went in from 2 yards out and Zach Lerner’s extra point made it a 14-7 contest at the break. Despite missing a golden scoring opportunity inside the red zone early in the third period, Manvel got another break on the next series, when Lerner’s punt traveled just a yard. Prince cashed in on the miscue four plays later with a sevenyard scamper to the goaline
with 6:23 left to make it 20-7. Manvel foiled a fake punt attempt by Ball High and then put the game away with a pair of fourth quarter scores. Prince motored in from 11 yards out and Owens chipped in a short 2-yard trip to the end zone. The Ow-
ens’ TD was set up by Ce’Cori Tolds’ interception. Other stats for Manvel included 30 first downs, while holding Galveston to 150 total yards. Preston grabbed three receptions for 30 yards and Laster had three catches for 26 yards. Quency Lewis also had one reception for 10 yards.
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Deneric Prince, top photo, pushes for extra yardage. Against Galveston Ball, Prince ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Bottom photo, Ladarius Owens also had two touchdowns in the game. (Top photo by Debbie Wilson, bottom photo by Albert Villegas)
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Page 10 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
Go Mavericks
The Manvel cheerleaders cheer on their team in the state semifinal victory against Angleton. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 11
Manvel takes control of District 23 by topping Marshall By Stephen Collins Sports Editor After getting clobbered by Manvel 63-6 a year ago, the Marshall Buffalos responded with touchdowns during both their first and second half opening possessions in the teams’ rematch in Missouri City. However, the second ranked state 5A Mavericks erupted for four end zone trips apiece during the two halves to upend Marshall, 56-27 at Hall Stadium. The victory puts Manvel (5-0 overall, 3-0 in district) in sole possession of first place in the 23-5A football standings. Marshall stayed close to the Mavs for a little over two periods, drawing within 28-20 on Michael Jones’ 22-yard reception from Jabari James with 8:58 left in the third, but Manvel then struck for 28 unanswered points to put the game out of reach. “They (Marshall) are really good and I don’t think people give them enough credit or respect,” Mavs’ head coach Kirk Martin said following the game. “Those guys went to the (state) quarterfinals with mostly underclassmen. I knew it was going to be a fight today.” The Buffalos showed that fight on the game’s third play from scrimmage, as James found Devon Achane with a 65-yard TD pass. William Hernandez added the extra point for a 7-0 Marshall advantage. Manvel quickly countered, marching 76 yards in seven plays with senior Deneric Prince delivering a 37-yard scoring run with eight minutes left in the opening period. Prince went over the 100yard rushing mark for the second straight week, galloping for 143 yards on 12 carries and two TDs. Junior Garrison Johnson, who was playing for the first time since breaking his hand against Pearland in the season opener Sept. 1, also broke triple digits with 117 yards on 10 carries and two scores. The Mavs mauled the Marshall defense for 436 yards overall on the ground. While the Buffs returned the ensuing kickoff into Mavs’ territory
to the 46-yard line, linebacker Trent Serrato jarred the ball loose from James on a third-down sack and lineman Derrick Williams rambled 45 yards to paydirt with the fumble recovery. Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights for a 14-7 Manvel lead with 7:05 remaining in the first. Despite the Mavs’ defense stopping a Marshall drive on downs at the MHS 20 on the ensuing series, the Buffs got the ball right back two plays later on Geovonte Howard’s interception at the Manvel 38. Marshall cashed in on the turnover with James lofting an 18-yard scoring pass to Henry Thomas in the end zone, but Hernandez missed the PAT to leave the Mavs still in front at 14-13 entering the second quarter. Manvel soon added to its cushion. Jalen Preston exploded 50 yards up the middle after taking the shotgun snap from the wildcat format, while quarterback Kason Martin hit Kam Scott with a 38yard TD pass a few minutes later to increase the margin to 28-15. Korey King’s interception gave the Buffs an opportunity to draw closer by intermission, but Hernandez hooked a 26-yard field goal attempt wide right, as the first half’s final seconds ticked off. Marshall refused to fold and after forcing a three-and-out by Manvel to start the third quarter, the Buffs cut the gap to 28-20 on the James to Jones connection. Kamryn Alexander dashed 67 yards to the Marshall 18 with the ensuing kickoff, though, paving the way for Prince to score untouched on the next play with 8:36 left to make it 35-20. Manvel pulled away from there, thanks to Martin’s 16-yard strike to Preston and scoring runs of 6 and 55 by Johnson. “I was real proud with the way our kids responded to their quick strikes, but we committed way too many penalties (13 for 115 yards),” Kirk Martin said. “We jumped off sides a few times to give them first downs and also committed some personal fouls and holding calls. “If we want to win the whole thing, we got to fix that.”
Terrence Norman tries to avoid a tackle during a Manvel game. The Mavericks took control of District 23-5A with a convincing win over Marshall. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
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Page 12 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
Mavericks have an easy night in 62-7 win over Elkins By Stephen Collins Sports Editor Despite having an unconventional night by most standards, the Manvel Mavericks still had little problem putting away Elkins. Quarterback Kason Martin passed for 237 yards and three touchdowns, while Garrison Johnson added 107 yards on the ground and another score to lead the Mavs to a 62-7 rout in 23-5A football action at AISD Memorial Stadium. “They were giving us some fits up front,” Martin said following the game. “They got some big boys up there. I was really proud of our kids sticking the course. “I knew our weight room and conditioning would wear them down. We had a lot of guys out, about eight starters for various reasons, but I’m proud of the kids that stepped up.” The course provided some weird bumps at times for Manvel’s high powered offense. The Mavs’ top two receivers, Jalen Preston and Kam Scott were held to a combined one reception for the evening, while Manvel turned it over on downs twice inside the Knights’ 15-yard line. Warren Laster (4 receptions for 60 yards, 2 TD’s) and Ladarius Owens (4 receptions for 86 yards) picked up the receiving slack,
Garrison Johnson tries to keep his balance while running for extra yards. Johnson had 107 yards rushing to lead Manvel over Elkins. (Photo by Albert Villegas) though, while the Mavs’ defense reached the end zone for the second straight week and the special teams chipped in a score, as
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vel marched 80 yards in 12 plays for their initial tallies. Owens provided gains of 11 and 19 on the
ground to set up Martin’s 12-yard slant to Laster with 4:56 left in the first quarter. Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Mavs’ lead. “He (Martin) threw it and I knew I had to go get it and get into the endzone,” Laster said. “They were putting two people on both Jalen and Kam, so I came open.” The Knights hung tough and stopped another Mavs’ potential scoring drive at the Elkins’ 12yard line a few minutes later and forced a punt on the ensuing series. However, Manvel (6-0 overall, 4-0 in 23-5A) got rolling again with an eight-play, 45-yard march, which Quincy Lewis capped by catching a 7-yard toss from Martin with 3:15 remaining in the second period to make it 13-0. The Martin-to-Lewis touchdown combination proceeded to spark a two-minute and seven-second span, where the roof literally caved in on Elkins.
The Knights went three-and-out on their next possession, while a poor three-yard punt gave the Mavs the ball at the Knights’ 39yard line. Martin quickly went to Laster again, who fended off an Elkins’ defender’s arm tackle and another Knight dragging the back of his shirt tail downfield to reach the goaline. Moreno’s PAT increased the gap to 21-0. Things then went from bad to worse for Elkins on the ensuing kickoff with a muff allowing Trevion Roberson to fall on the loose ball at the 26-yard line. Owens dashed for 17 yards to the nine and scored three plays later from five yards out to give Manvel a fourtouchdown cushion at the break. While the Mavs’ offense stalled at the Elkins’ nine-yard line early in the third quarter and then fumbled the ball away on the next seSee ELKINS, page 13
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 13
Defense keys Manvel’s 21-0 victory over Texas City By Stephen Collins Sports Editor Despite being held to their lowest point total for 2017, the Manvel Mavericks’ defense proved to be even stingier, blanking Texas City 21-0 at Stingaree Stadium. The victory kept the unbeaten Mavericks (7-0 overall, 5-0 in district) atop the 23-5A football standings. After playing a scoreless opening period, Manvel took advantage of a poor Stings’ punt and scored their first points on Kason Martin’s 1-yard pass to Warren Laster. Luis Moreno’s extra point made it 7-0 The Mavs turned the ball over a little later on a fumble at their own 31-yard line, but took even more advantage on a Texas City miscue on the next play. Defensive back Kamryn Alexander raced 69 yards to pay dirt with a fumble to make it 13-0 with four minutes left before intermission. Alexander’s return marked the third straight week the Manvel defense returned an opponent’s turnover the other way. The defense also helped set up the Mavs’ final TD in the fourth quarter.
Manvel linebackers, from left, DePriest Taylor, Jermaine Brown and Trent Serrato prepare for the snap. The defense keyed Manvel’s 21-0 win over Texas City. (Photo by Albert Villegas) Cecori Tolds intercepted Phillip McDaniel and returned the ball to the Stings’ 21-yard line. Donovan Eaglin broke loose up the middle and scored on the next play to put the game out of reach.
ELKINS
Continued from page 12 ries, the MHS defense stepped in for the second straight week. Linebacker Jermaine Brown picked off a tipped Luke LeBlanc fling and rambled 59 yards untouched down the left sidelines with four minutes left in the period. Lineman Derrick Williams returned a fumble 45 yards for a TD against Fort Bend Marshall on Oct. 14 in Missouri City. “I wasn’t expecting it,” Brown said. “Trevion (Roberson) got the hit and the ball went behind him, so I picked it up and started running with it.”
LeBlanc hit Vernon Harrell with a 66-yard touchdown strike on the next series to finally get the Knights on the board, but Preston (who received his Under Armour All-American jersey two days earlier) answered right back for Manvel, exploding for a school-record 104-yard kickoff return to make it 42-7. The Mavs then cashed in on Kameron Pedescleaux’s interception with Donovan Eaglin’s 1-yard run, while Johnson (1-yard) and reserve signal caller Josh Coltrin (11 yards) wrapped up the scoring for Manvel.
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Page 14 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
Follow the leader
Warren Laster, 16, follows the blocks of Steven Shaw, 70, amd Ladarius Owens while looking for extra yardage. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
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Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 15
Mavericks wrap up district title with win over Indians By Stephen Collins Sports Editor
Despite missing several key players for the contest against Santa Fe, the Manvel Mavericks still had plenty of pieces remaining to upend the Indians 48-17 in 23-5A football action at AISD Memorial Stadium. The victory wrapped up the district championship for the Mavs (8-0 overall, 6-0 in district), who were without the services of receivers Jalen Preston and Kam Scott, along with linebackers Trent Serrato and Depriest Taylor. “It was a terrific night. It was senior night and every kid got a chance to play,” Manvel head coach Kirk Martin said following the game. “Some kids scored touchdowns who hadn’t ever before. I was really happy for those guys. “We faced a good fight (from Santa Fe), but the kids took over minus a couple of key starters.” Manvel drove 67 yards in eight plays on the opening series for the game’s first tallies. Quarterback Kason Martin hit Terrance Norman Jr. with a 13-yard scoring pass with 8:48 left in the opening period. Martin completed 15 of 19 passes for 223 yards and four touchdowns.
Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Manvel lead. The Indians took advantage of a fumbled Mavs’ punt snap to get the ball deep in Manvel territory later in the period. The Indians then pulled off a successful fake punt attempt with Tristan Cundiff hitting Josh Blankenship with a 21-yard pass to help set up Nathan Kruger’s 23-yard touchdown toss to Blankenship, tying it at 7-7 heading into the second quarter. However, Manvel lineman Travorris Hardison recovered a Kruger fumble at the Santa Fe 42-yard line a few minutes later and Martin found Warren Laster on a 2-yard slant to put the Mavs ahead for good at 14-7 with 8:09 remaining in the period. The Mavs then put the game away with pair of TDs in the first half’s closing moments. Quincy Lewis turned a short reception into a 29-yard catch-and-run trip to the end zone, while Garrison Johnson exploded for a 59-yard scoring run to make it 28-7 at the break. Manvel continued to pad their lead in the second half. Deneric Prince converted a 51-yard punt return by Kamryn Alexander early in the third quarter into a 27-yard scoring dash, while Martin hooked up with Littell from
Above, defensive lineman Kori Roberson works his way around a blocker. Below, running back Deneric Prince runs toward the goal line. Manvel beat Santa Fe to clinch a district title. (Photos by Albert Villegas) three yards out. Indian’s place kicker Kenneth Williams booted a 31-field goal, but Mavs’ reserve signal caller Josh Coltrin lofted a 7-yard TD pass to Laster to wrap up Manvel’s scoring in the final period. The Mavs next play at Galena Park to finish the regular season and then face their
bi-district opponent from 24-5A in the Division I bracket the following weekend. Martin said he plans to play his starters against Park. “We will play all of our guys,” the Mavs’ coach added. “We want to play well and hopefully go into the playoffs on a good note.”
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Page 16 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
Leading the way
Manvel Head Coach Kirk Martin addresses his team after the Mavericks beat Angleton to reach the state championship game. Below, Martin holds the trophy for state runner up. (Top photo by Albert Villegas, bottom photo by Debbie Wilson)
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Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 17
Manvel routs Galena Park, 69-7, to close regular season By Stephen Collins Sports Editor The Manvel Mavericks (9-0 overall, 7-0 in district) tuned up for the postseason by routing Galena Park 69-7 in their regular finale on the road. Quarterback Kason Martin completed 12 of 17 passes for 318 yards and five touchdowns, while receiver Warren Laster grabbed six receptions for a career-high 170 yards and three TDs. Madison blanked Northside 26-0 in its regular finale on Nov. 10. Manvel exploded for five TDs in the opening period against Park and never looked back. Martin fired a 13-yard scoring toss to Laster on the Mavs’ initial possession, while connecting with Jalen Preston from 26 yards out on the next series. Martin and Laster combined again on a 73yard bomb in the period and after Terrance Norman hauled in a 10-yard scoring reception, Cecori Tolds dashed 60 yards with a punt return to make it 35-0. Second period scoring for Manvel featured Martin’s 66-yard TD pass to Laster, and a 26yard run by Deneric Prince. Ladarius Owens scored from 48 yards out in the third and Josh Coltrin (5 yards) and Edward Zilton (25 yards) Above, quarterback Kason Martin celebrates after leading Manvel to a victory in the playoffs. Below, Warren Laster scored three wrapped up the scoring for the Mavs during the touchdowns to help the Mavericks roll over Galena Park in the regular season finale. (Top photo by Debbie Wilson, bottom photo by Albert Villegas) final period.
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Page 18 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
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Page 20 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
Mavericks open postseason with 49-6 victory By Stephen Collins Sports Editor After the Manvel Mavericks experienced a not-so-smooth week of practice, Kason Mason issued a stern warning to his teammates prior to their Class 5A Division I bi-district football playoff with Houston Madison Thursday night. “Practice was a little bit sloppy this week at some points and I reminded the guys that Madison is a great football team,” the senior quarterback said. “I told them they have great athletes and great coaches and if we slack around, they will beat us.” The Mavs took their starting signal caller’s message to heart and laid a decisive 49-6 stamp on the Marlins at AISD Memorial Stadium. Manvel (10-0) scored on six of their first seven drives to open the contest and now advance to meet Nederland in the area playoffs on Nov. 24 at NRG Stadium See PLAYOFFS, page 21
Warren Laster dives to make a catch in a playoff game against Temple. The Mavericks opened the playoffs with a convincing 49-6 win over Houston Madison. Below, DePriest Taylor hugs a teammate after a win. (Courtesy photos)
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Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 21
PLAYOFFS Continued from page 20
in Houston. Kickoff is 4 p.m. for the second round game, which will be played the day after Thanksgiving. Having his full contingent of receivers back in uniform for the first time in several weeks didn’t hurt the cause either. With Kam Scott’s return to the starting lineup on Friday, Martin completed 14 of 21 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone. The senior then sat out the rest of the way with the game well in hand. “Whenever you’re missing one piece, it never does look right,” Martin said. “In the weeks when we didn’t have either Cam or Jalen (Preston), we had a lot of guys step up, but tonight you saw how much of a factor they really are when they’re out on the field. “Those guys are really special.” Scott made an immediate impact on the game’s opening possession, turning a short pass from Martin into a 47-yard catch-and-run touchdown reception to cap an eight-play, 86-yard drive less than two minutes into things. Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Manvel lead. The Mavs’ defense also made life miserable for Madison during the initial 24 minutes. Manvel held the Marlins to only 31 total yards in the first half and just allowed them to cross midfield once following a personal foul. Madison’s first two series started at their own 5-and 8-yard lines, allowing Manvel to dominate the field position battle by a wide margin. The MHS offense seized upon the short distances. Martin hit Terrance Norman Jr. with a 20-yard TD fling with 6:57 left in the first quarter, while Ladarius Owens went in from 3 yards out a few minutes later to make it 21-0. “I thought we came out and played really well,” Mavs’ head coach Kirk Martin said. “We played mistake free football for the most part. Our defense played lights out and was swarming the ball well. They just smothered
them all night long. They’re real stout when they’re breathing fire like they were tonight. “This is the way you want to start it off in the playoffs.” Unfortunately for Madison, the Mavs were far from letting their foot off the pedal. The Manvel defense held the Marlins to their fourth straight three-and-out, paving the way for Kason Martin to loft a 43-yard strike to Preston for a commanding four-touchdown cushion into the second period. While Madison finally picked up its initial first down on the next possession, Manvel ultimately forced another punt and then pulled off a little trickery. Martin skipped a backwards lateral to Norman Jr., who hit a wide-open Quincy Lewis from 35 yards out for a 35-0 contest. The defense then landed its signature blow for the evening three plays following the ensuing kickoff, as linebacker Charles Reed’s crushing hit on Madison’s Malik Lewis resulted in defensive back Kameron Pedescleaux’s fumble recovery at the Marlins’ 15-yard line. Garrison Johnson motored in from 8 yards out three plays later. Although turning it over on downs on their final two series of the first half, the Mavs took a comfortable 42-0 advantage into the dressing room and were able to send out the reserves during a second half, which went with a running clock. Johnson added his second rushing TD from 17 yards out with 3:18 remaining in the third period, while Madison avoided a shutout on Matt Brooks’ 2-yard run with a little over a minute left to play.
Kam Scott grabs a catch despite strong defense to help Manvel advance in the postseason. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
Page 22 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
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Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 23
Manvel rolls over Nederland to win area championship By Stephen Collins Sports Editor Manvel delivered a pair of 21-point outbursts to fend off pesky Nederland 51-26 in the Class 5A Division I area football playoffs at NRG Stadium in Houston. The victory advances the Mavericks (110) into the regional semifinal round for the eighth straight year where Kirk Martin’s squad will meet Cedar Park in a third-round rematch on Dec. 1 at Waller ISD Stadium at 7:30 p.m. “We’ve been playing eight years in row after Thanksgiving,” Martin said. “I feel so thankful and blessed to get to do this each year and play in an unbelievable facility like NRG. Hopefully we keep this thing rolling.” Quarterback Kason Martin completed 11 of 18 passes for 229 yards and four touchdowns, while Jalen Preston (6 catches for 141 yards) grabbed two TD catches and exploded for another score on a 65-yard punt return. The punt return score helped Preston overcome a pair of fumbles following receptions deep inside Bulldogs’ territory. The Mavs also proved to be their own worst enemy between the second and third periods See AREA, page 24
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Page 24 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
AREA
Continued from page 23
Ladarius Owens runs toward the end zone. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
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combined, as penalties negated three touchdowns. The Nederland defense stopped another potential scoring drive inside their own 30yard line on downs, as well. “Jalen was just scratching and clawing for yards and I want him to do that, but we do need to protect the football better,” Kirk Martin said. “The penalties that forced the touchdowns to be called back were inexcusable. We got to get a better handle on both the ball and penalties before next week. “We just can’t have things like that happen.” Nederland was probably thinking the same thing after allowing three Manvel scoring drives in the opening period. The Mavs took the opening kickoff with a 33-yard TD connection from Kason Martin to Preston capping a six-play, 73yard march. Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Manvel lead. The Bulldogs produced a promising drive on their opening series, as well, only to have a mishandled snap derailed a 38-yard field goal attempt by Payne Barrow. Manvel promptly found its way back into the end zone five plays later, as Martin nailed Warren Laster with a 16-yard strike with 6:31 remaining in the first quarter. Ladarius Owens’ 23-yard run to the Nederland 17-yard line helped set up the score. After forcing the Bulldogs to do a quick three-and-out, the Mavs used Deneric Prince’s 13-yard gallop and Terrance Norman Jr’s 19-yard reception to pave the way for Martin’s 15-yard fling to Kam Scott to give Mavs the threetouchdown cushion into the second period. “He (Kason) takes what’s given to him. Most of our plays don’t say who’s getting the ball passing wise,” Martin said. “He did a great of reading the coverages and throwing to who was open.” Junior signal caller Blaysin Fernandez and Kevon Latulas helped Nederland finally get on the board on their next possession. The
duo converted a fourth-and-16 situation by teaming on a 24-yard touchdown pass. Brian Johnson immediately got two points back for the Mavs, though, with the senior linebacker returning the blotched PAT 89 yards the other way to make it 23-6. Manvel maintained that lead at intermission despite the series of mishaps, but following Preston’s second fumble early in the third period, Latulas and Devon Simmons combined to pull off a successful 41-yard hook-and-ladder play following Latulas’ reception. The trickery set up Simmons’ 5-yard run two plays later with 8:01 left. The teams then traded punts with Preston breaking free 65 yards down the left sidelines on the latter kick for a 30-13 Mavs’ advantage. “I had fumbled the ball twice and I thought, oh man, I got to do something for my team,” Preston said. “I just found some open space and started running and that helped get the momentum back for my team.” Nederland refused to go away quietly, though, taking advantage of both defensive holding and pass interference calls by Manvel to make it a two score game again at 30-20 on the third quarter’s last play. Simmons scored from 2 yards out. However, the Mavs regained their offensive touch during the final 12 minutes. Martin hooked up with Preston again, this time from 28 yards out and despite Fernandez’s 2-yard sneak for the Bulldogs on the ensuing series, Garrison Johnson’s 4-yard run and a 53-yard dash by Prince put the contest out of reach. Prince’s TD came with 5:48 left. “We kind of let our guard down when we went up 21-0,” Kirk Martin said. “I felt like we hit a little lull. We got to keep pressing and getting after it. We got a really good defense and we showed that at times tonight. We gave them (Nederland) a short field a couple of times.”
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 25
Manvel has no problem with Cedar Park in regional semis By Stephen Collins Sports Editor While second halves provided a comeback stage for the Cedar Park Timberwolves during the first two rounds of the playoffs, getting into double digit catch-up mode against the Manvel Mavericks’ blazing speed often proves to be a fatal battle. The Timberwolves found that out the hard way with the Mavericks cruising to a 5617 romp in the Class 5A Division I Region Football Semifinals at Waller ISD Stadium. Manvel (12-0) beat Cedar Park for the second time in as many years in the third round of the postseason and advances for another rematch in the state quarterfinals against Temple on Dec. 8 at Prairie View A&M University’s Blackshear Field at 7:30 p.m. Temple pulled off a dramatic 33-29 victory over Port Arthur Memorial in its regional semifinal affair. Cedar Park entered Friday’s game with Manvel without their starting quarterback Mak Sexton, who broke his leg in the seventh game of the regular season. Even if Sexton had been available to take snaps on Friday, though, it may not have mattered See SEMIS, page 26
Manvel defenders, from left, Trent Serrato, Jermaine Brown and DePreist Taylor swarm to the ball. In the regional semifinals, the defense shut down Cedar Park. Below, Kam Scott returns a kickoff. (Photos by Albert Villegas and Debbie Wilson)
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Page 26 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
SEMIS
Continued from page 25 with the way the Mavs’ defense dominated the line of scrimmage. Manvel limited the Timberwolves to just 57 total yards and four first downs in the first half. Although Cedar Park ended up with 213 overall for the evening, most of the yardage came during garbage time in the fourth quarter. “We were tired of hearing on twitter all week of how they were going to beat us,” said Mavs’ linebacker Brian Johnson, who intercepted two passes, one of which was returned for a touchdown. “We just kept our head in, fought on through and came out with the dub. “We knew they wouldn’t be able to run the ball, because they had trouble doing that last year.” The Mavs also did a number on Cedar Park’s famed “Black Rain” defense for the second straight year, compiling 340 yards on the ground and 432 total yards. In the two games combined, Manvel has put a staggering 86 points on the board against the Timberwolves’ defense. “The kids made a statement tonight,” Manvel head coach Kirk Martin said. “Our offense scored a lot of points on a great defense. If we would quit turning the ball over, we would be real poisonous.”
The turnover bug bit the Mavs quickly on the opening kickoff, as Cedar Park recovered a fumble at the Manvel 38-yard line. However, the Mavs’ defense stepped up to force Cedar Park to give the ball up on downs four plays later and Manvel promptly drove 65 yards in seven plays for its first score. Quarterback Kason Martin (12 of 19 for 92 yards, 1 touchdown) hooked up with Jalen Preston for 18 yards inside Timberwolves’ territory, while Terrance Norman Jr. rambled for 19 yards on the jet sweep to set up Martin’s 8-yard scoring dart to Warren Laster in the left corner of the end zone with 8:50 left in the opening period. Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 lead.
While the defenses combined to hold each other in check for almost the rest of the quarter, the Mavs took advantage of a poor 5-yard Cedar Park punt and mounted a 12-play, 39-yard drive. Ladarius Owens’ capped things with a 4-yard run just 47 seconds into the second period to make it 14-0. Senior receiver Kam Scott, who’s committed to Missouri, then put on both an offensive and special teams show for the Waller ISD Stadium crowd during the quarter’s final three minutes. Scott exploded 81 yards to the end zone on a reverse with 3:53 remaining and although the Timberwolves’ Tammer Alzer returned an interception 42 yards to get Cedar Park on the board, Scott answered right back with a 82-yard burst on the ensuing kickoff, breaking several tackles along the way for a 28-7 Manvel lead “Here’s the thing. Coach Martin called a really dumb play (on the ball that Cedar Park intercepted),” Kirk Martin joked. “Our defense had whipped them all night and we throw a dang pick six. He (Scott) answered right back. That was huge and put us
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in a really good place.” The Timberwolves cut the deficit to 2810 on Lucas Bardshar’s 26-yard field on the final play before intermission, but Manvel wasted little time dismissing Cedar Park’s chances of making a second half comeback for the third straight week. After the Mavs’ defense forced a threeand-out, Deneric Prince motored 53 yards to pay dirt two plays following the Timberwolves’ punt. Garrison Johnson delivered a 54-yard rushing blow early in the fourth quarter, while Brian Johnson picked off Ryder Hernandez’s pass and returned it 64 yards to increase Manvel’s lead to 49-10. “I saw him (the Park receiver) come across my face and I jumped in front of his route,” Johnson said. Hernandez fired a 35-yard strike to Logan Mayou to give the Timberwolves their long offensive TD, but Donovan Eaglin powered in from the one to regain the 39-point cushion for the Mavs in the closing minutes.
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 27
Revenge: Mavericks topple Temple to win region crown By Stephen Collins Sports Editor Take that fourth round albatross off the Manvel Mavericks’ backs and toss it into the garbage can. The Mavericks not only removed the state football quarterfinal hurdle that had plagued them the previous four years, Kirk Martin’s squad avenged a 2016 loss to the Temple Wildcats in the same postseason round with a 49-34 triumph at Prairie View A&M University’s Panther Stadium. The victory also gives the Mavs (13-0) their first Region III crown since 2011 and arranges a Brazoria County showdown in the Class 5A Division I state semifinals with Angleton on Dec. 15 at NRG Stadium in Houston. Angleton topped Richmond Foster 41-10 in their state quarterfinal game in Region IV on Friday. “The kids just played unbelievable football tonight and did what they had to do to win against a very good football team,” Martin said. “Those guys fought back and fought back, but so did our kids and that’s what I’m so proud of. I thought we could run the football and take some shots and we were able to do both. See REVENGE, page 28
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Page 28 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
REVENGE
Continued from page 27
Linebacker Charles Reed, center, bats away a pass during Manvel’s 49-34 victory over Temple to win the region championship. (Courtesy photo)
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“I do feel like a big weight has been lifted off our shoulders, but our goal is winning the whole thing. I didn’t put too much emphasis on this one.” Quarterback Kason Martin completed 16 of 26 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while the Mavs’ ground game compiled 167 yards. While Wildcats’ signal caller TJ Rumfield threw for 393 yards and four TD’s, Manvel’s defense limited Temple’s rushing attack to just 26 yards, forcing Rumfield to air it out 57 times. The Mavs also forced four Wildcat turnovers and converted three into touchdowns. “The defense was kind of a bend, but don’t break deal,” Kirk Martin said. “They had a couple of big shots on us, but I thought they (Manvel’s defense) did a great job of getting those turnovers and giving us a short field. Our offense capitalized on it.” After the teams exchanged opening possession punts, the Mavs drove 73 yards in nine plays with Jalen Preston going in from three yards out on the wildcat formation with 5:48 left in the first quarter. Jonatan Ramirez (who was subbing for the injured Luis Moreno) booted the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Manvel lead. Temple took only four plays to answer following the ensuing kickoff, as Rumfield fired a 44-yard scoring pass to Xavier Johnson and Aaron Wagaman’s PAT tied it at 7. However, Manvel delivered its own counterpunch on the next series with Kason Martin turning an almost certain sack into a 28-yard shovel TD toss to Deneric Prince with 1:35 still left in the period. Ramirez missed the PAT to leave it at 13-7, but defensive back Trent Gordon intercepted Rumfield near midfield on the Wildcats’ next possession to set up both Martin’s 39-yard strike to Kam Scott and his two-point conversion pass to Kori Roberson to make it 21-7. Linebacker Trent Serrato then both caused and recovered a fumble from Temple’s Anthony
Jackson to put Manvel in business again from the Wildcats’ 17-yard line. Martin hooked up with Warren Laster for nine yards to convert a key fourth-and-4 play, paving the way for Garrison Johnson to crash in from 3 yards out on the next play for a 27-7 Manvel lead. Despite Kameron Pedescleaux’s red zone interception stopping a Temple scoring drive in the last few minutes of the first half, Rumfield quickly came back to find D’Yonte Heckstall with a 31-yard TD to cut the margin to 27-14 at the break. “I just told the kids to keep doing the things we were doing,” Kirk Martin said. “We wanted to keep them from making as many big play and we also wanted to possess the ball without any mistakes.” Cecori Tolds and the Mavs wasted little time pouncing on another Temple miscue with the senior defensive back picking off Rumfield on the second half’s third play at the Wildcats’ 21-yard line. Johnson scored nine plays later from the one for a 34-14 MHS advantage. After Temple’s De’Jon Overton (4 yards) and Kason Martin (4 yards) exchanged rushing TDs, Xavier Johnson hauled in a 20-yard scoring reception for the Wildcats, only to have Tolds block the PAT and return it 90 yards for two points to maintain a double digit lead for Manvel at 42-26 early in the fourth. Temple kept pecking away, nonetheless and pulled within 4234 on Rumfield’s 1-yard pass to Heckstall and Keion Johnson’s two-point PAT toss to Rumfield with seven minutes left. Manvel took a little over five minutes off the clock, though, which featured a pair of fourthdown conversions, on its final series. Garrison Johnson rambled for three yards on fourth-and-2 to the Wildcats’ 25, while Martin drilled Terrance Norman Jr. for 15 yards on fourth-and-9 to the Temple nine. Martin then scored two plays later on an 8-yard keeper with 1:45 remaining to clinch the win.
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 29
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Page 30 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
Mavericks crush Angleton to earn berth in title game By Stephen Collins Sports Editor The Brazoria County showdown quickly turned into a Brazoria County “beat down.” A beat down that will take the Manvel Mavericks to their first state title game in six years. The Mavericks dominated the Angleton Wildcats on both sides of the ball and rolled to a 35-10 triumph in the Class 5A Division I state football semifinals at NRG Stadium in Houston. Manvel (14-0) will now meet defending state champ Highland Park in the Division I finals on Dec. 22 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Highland Park, who outlasted Denton Ryan in a 45-35 slugfest in their state semifinal contest, defeated Temple 16-7 in the 2016 state finals. “To hold an explosive team like Angleton to only 10 points is incredible. They have been scoring about 70 all year,” Mavs’ head coach Kirk Martin said following the game. “We score 35 points the first half and really don’t do much during the second half, but we’re really proud of all of them. Getting our tempo going early was a big key.” See CRUSH, page 31
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The Manvel defense played one of its best games of the year in a 35-10 victory over Angleton in the state semifinals. Above, Colbey Washington, left, helps drag down an Angleton runner. Below, CeCori Tolds makes an interception. (Photos by Albert Villegas)
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 31
CRUSH
Derrick Williams greets the Manvel fans after a victory in the state semifinals. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
Continued from page 30 The Mavs got their tempo going with a seven-play, 71-yard drive to start the contest. Six of the plays featured runs, capped by Ladarius Owens busting a 32-yarder to the end zone with 10:07 left in the opening period. Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Manvel lead. “I knew our kids would be juiced up and that we would be able to run the ball and we did,” Martin said. Angleton also scored on its opening possession. The Wildcats went 72 yards in eight plays with B.J. Foster taking it from four yards out. While Eduardo Rosales’ PAT tied it at 7, the Wildcats’ place kicker blotched the ensuing kickoff, booting it out of bounds to allow Manvel to immediately get good field position at its own 41yard line. The Mavs didn’t take long to pounce on the miscue, as Deneric Prince exploded up the middle for a 59-yard touchdown run with 7:14 remaining in the period. Prince rushed for 126 yards on 10 carries, highlighting a Manvel ground game, which shredded the Wildcats’ defense for 242 yards. “I didn’t see it coming,” Prince said. “I didn’t think I was going to score. It just opened up for me.” The Wildcats put together another impressive drive, marching from their own 34-yard line to the Manvel 27 in 11 plays. However, on fourth-and-nine, the Mavs’ defense limited Tamerik Williams to a 5-yard screen reception to turn the ball over on downs at the 22. Manvel then burned Angleton again with their big-play offense on the first play. The passing game delivered the damage this time around. Quarterback Kason Martin (8 of 14 for 170 yards, 1 TD) hit Cam Scott perfectly in stride with a 78-yard TD fling down the right sidelines to give the Mavs a 21-7 lead into the second period.
“I knew my quarterback would get it to me. I just had to go get it and make a play,” said Scott, who grabbed three catches for 113 yards. While the teams exchanged a combined three punts, the Mavs’ offense soon got rolling on the ground again with Owens motoring 35 yards to pay dirt to make it 28-7 with 6:45 remaining in the second. The Wildcats attempted to cut the margin in half going into the break, but MHS defensive back Trevion Robertson’s fourth-down sack of Angleton quarterback Seth Cosme at the Manvel 38-yard line ultimately left them staring at an even bigger deficit. The Mavs took over with 1:36 left and drove 62 yards in eight plays for their fifth score. Despite Martin getting sack for a seven-yard loss during the series, Prince got the yardage back with a 17-yard ramble to the Wildcats’ 32-yard line, while Martin found Scott for 27 yards down to the five. Jalen Preston then powered his way in from four yards out two plays later to give Manvel a 35-7 advantage at intermission. Angleton started the second half with a six-minute drive deep inside Mavs’ territory, but were forced to settle for Rosales’ 32yard field following a third down sack. The defenses played to a stalemate the rest of the way. Kane Mendieta ended one Angleton possession with a fourth-down sack, while Cecori Tolds intercepted Cosme to foil another potential scoring threat. While Manvel dominated the ‘battle of Brazoria County” semifinal, though, Kirk Martin and his players are well aware that there’s still one game left to complete the state championship mission. “We got to finish this thing. This wasn’t our super bowl,” Martin said. “Our super bowl is next week. “We got to win that thing.”
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Page 32 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
Bid for state title comes up one yard short By Stephen Collins Sports Editor ARLINGTON – Manvel’s bid for its first state football championship came up both an agonizing yard and second short. The Highland Park Scots rallied for a pair of touchdowns in the final two minutes to edge the Mavericks in a 53-49 heart-breaking classic in the Class 5A Division I state finals at A&T Stadium. The Mavs’ season ends at 14-1, while 15-1 Highland Park captured its second straight state crown. Manvel was also making its second appearance in the state title game and first since 2011. The Mavs posted playoff victories over Houston Madison, Nederland, Cedar Park, Temple and Angleton to gain the state finals berth. “We came up one yard and one second short I guess,” Manvel head coach Kirk Martin said following the game. “That was just a tough way to lose. I thought our kids played their guts out, but it just wasn’t meant to be.” Leading 49-39 late in the fourth quarter, the Mavs appeared to be on their way to claiming that elusive title when Scots’ quarSee SHORT, page 33 The Manvel Mavericks gather around their coaches in the final seconds of the state championship game. Below, Brian Johnson is devastated after the loss. (Photos by Albert Villegas)
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 33
Manvel defenders Kameron Pedescleaux, left, and Trent Gordon break up a pass during the state title game loss to Highland Park. (Photo by Albert Villegas)
SHORT
Continued from page 32 terback John Stephen Jones threw an incompletion on fourth-and-20 with 4:16 remaining. However, the Scots held Manvel to a quick three-and-out and got the ball back a little over a minute later. Jones went in from a yard out eight plays later to suddenly make it a 49-46-nail biter with 2:06 left. Things then turned from bad to worse with Matteo Cordray’s onside kick taking a freakish bounce over a Manvel player and Cole Saustad catching the loose ball in the air at the Mavs’ 45-yard line. Saustad appeared to initially touch the ball at his own 49, though, which would have negated the recovery with the ball not traveling the required 10 yards. While the Mavs soon had Highland Park facing a fourth-and 15 from the MHS 39-yard line, Jones (who was voted as the offensive player of the game by the media with a state record 564 passing yards) found Finn Corwin for a clutch 28-yard gain to the 11. The Mavs’ defense threw HP running back Paxton Alexander for a five-yard loss, but Jones then nailed Saustad with a 16-yard scoring fling to give the Scots their first lead with 34 seconds left. Manvel reached the Scots’ 30-yard line with 14 seconds remaining, but officials ruled that Jalen Preston was out of bounds at the goal line after catching an apparent game-winning TD pass from Kason Martin. Martin went for Preston again on the game’s final play, but the senior receiver was stopped at the one-yard line as time ran out. See LOSS, page 34
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Page 34 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
LOSS
Continued from page 33 “This is just one of those deals where it’s hard to say anything (to the kids),” Coach Martin said. “You say a lot of things like they fought hard and we deserved to win, but we just didn’t get it done.” The Mavs struck for the game’s initial points on their second possession, as Kam Scott exploded 75 yards on a reverse to set up Garrison Johnson bull dozing his way in from a yard out on fourth-andgoal with 6:53 left in the opening period. Luis Moreno booted the extra point through the uprights for a 7-0 Manvel lead. After forcing an HP punt, Manvel drove to the Scots’ 39-yard line a few minutes later, but were held on downs. The Scots executed the flea flicker to perfection on the next play with Jones handing it off to Alexander, who flipped the ball back to Jones. Jones then fired 78 yards downfield to Saustad to tie it at 7-7 with 1:55 still remaining in the first. Manvel took a mere 19 seconds to respond with its own big play following the
ensuing kickoff. Preston turned a short screen pass from Kason Martin into a 69yard catch-and-run trip to the end zone to regain the upper hand for the Mavs. Both Preston and Martin delivered monster performances. Preston and Saustad each broke the UIL and 5A receiving yards records with 220 yards. Martin (16 of 30) threw for 483 yards and five TD’s. The latter mark ranked second all-time in state finals’ history. The Mavs’ defense also provided both a state-tying record eight sacks and linebacker Depreist Taylor was voted the defensive player of the game by the media with 6.5 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Five of the tackles resulted in losses. Linebacker Jermaine Brown took down Jones to stop a 17-play Scots’ march midway in the second period, paving the way for Martin to hook up with Terrance Norman Jr. from 78 yards out to make it 21-7 with 6:26 left. Highland Park managed to cut it to 2110 at the half, though, thanks to Cordray’s
32-yard field goal. The Scots then pulled within 21-18 on the opening series of the third quarter on Alexander’s 10-yard run and Jones’ two-point conversion pass to Conner Allen. The game turned into both a shootout and a defensive coordinator’s nightmare the rest of the way. “The game changed a little bit in the second half,” Taylor said. “They (Highland Park) came up with more stuff. “We just had trouble capitalizing as much as we should have. We were getting tired out there, but this was a state game and you have to keep it going.” Manvel’s offense kept it going for the most of the second half. Martin fired scoring passes of 7 and 95 yards (5A record) to Preston and a 62-yarder to Colby Washington, while Scott motored 97 yards with a 5A record and UIL-tying kickoff return. The Scots managed to keep pace, DePreist Taylor holds his defensive MVP award though, and get the key stops on the following the state title game. Mavs’ final two series. (Photo by Debbie Wilson)
Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018 • Page 35
A season full of memories
Photos by Debbie Wilson
Page 36 • Manvel Mavericks 2017 • Supplement to the Alvin Advertiser • January 10, 2018
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