High School Sports

By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer

WACO - Robert E. Lee (3-2) stopped its touchdown drought, but couldn't overcome its own mistakes in a 19-15 loss to Waco (4-1) Friday at Waco I.S.D. Stadium.

Lee incurred a safety in the first half - thanks to a bad snap on a punt -; fumbled the ball after a reception deep in Waco territory and were burned for a 39-yard gain on a fake punt that set up Waco's game-winning touchdown.

"We just made some kicking-game mistakes that cost us big time tonight," said Lee head coach Mike Owens. "But as long as they continue to work, which they're doing, and as long they continue to try and get better, I think we have as good a shot as anybody in the district to be there at the end."

Lee scored in the second quarter on a 1-yard run by Jamal Mitchell. The touchdown ended a 10-quarter drought for the Red Raiders. REL added another in the third quarter on an 87-yard fumble return by Jordan Aubrey.

Waco took the lead late in the fourth quarter when a fake punt set up the Lions for the game-winning score.

The loss means REL enters district play with a sub. 500 record for the first time since Owens' first season as head coach in 1996. REL enjoys a bye next week before beginning District 12-5A play Oct. 11 at home against Mesquite Horn.

The Red Raiders led 15-12 thanks to a defensive touchdown on the final play of the third quarter.

Waco attempted a reverse on Lee's 11, but Lions receiver Prince Sheppard was stripped by Jarmael Jones and the ball bounced into the hands of Aubrey.

With nothing but green in front of him, Aubrey raced 87 yards for the TD. Lee made it a three-point lead when quarterback Luke Wagner hit tight end T.J. Jones for a two-point conversion.

The score remained that way until the six minute mark of the fourth quarter. Facing a fourth-and-3 from the Lee 47, the Lions sent out the punt team, but snapped the ball to up back Peter Smith on a fake. He swept to the outside and raced 39 yards before he was knocked out of bounds at the Lee 8. Two plays later, Waco quarterback Clarence Willis scored on a 7-yard keeper and Ernesto Guevara converted the PAT to make it 19-15 with 5:53 remaining.

Lee attempted to reply, converting several third downs to drive to Waco's 34, but on fourth-and-14 from the 37, Wagner was flushed out of the pocket and threw an incomplete pass to turn the ball over on downs.

Wagner finished the game 11 of 19 for 120 yards. He was also sacked three times. Senior Jamal Mitchell led REL on the ground with 13 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown.

Waco fullback Bronshae Dugas rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown with Lions tailback Toylon Clack carrying for 73 yards in the Waco win.

The Red Raiders led 7-0 in the second quarter on a 1-yard scoring run by Jamal Mitchell. His touchdown capped a 19-play 89-yard drive.

A 30-yard punt gave Waco good field position at the REL 30 and the Lions took advantage. On first-and-10 from the 20, Dugas took the handoff and burst up the middle for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game, 7-7.

Waco took the lead on Lee's next possession when the ball was snapped over punter Sean Raney's head and into the end zone for a safety. This gave Waco a 9-7 lead at the halftime break.

The Red Raiders looked to be in position to take the lead back at the start of the third quarter, thanks to a 59-yard kick return by Mitchell.

But on second-and-16, Wagner fired a pass to Joe Turner, who made the catch for 11 yards, but was hit hard, causing him to fumble. Waco recovered at its own 26 and used that momentum to drive 84 yards in 14 plays, capped by a 25-yard field goal from Guevara to lead 12-7.

Aubrey's fumble return gave Lee the lead back, but the fake punt by Waco ultimately sealed the Red Raiders fate.



Waco 19, Robert E. Lee 15

At Waco I.S.D. Stadium

Robert E. Lee 0 7 8 0 - 15

Waco 0 9 3 7 - 19

Second Quarter

LEE-Jamal Mitchell 1 run (Joseph Cleaver kick), 11:57

WAC-Bronshae Dugas 20 run (Ernesto Guevara kick), 5:26

WAC-Safety: Ball snapped over Lee punter Sean Raney's head and out of end zone, 4:34

Third Quarter

WAC-FG: Guevara 25, 2:14

LEE-Jordan Aubrey 87 fumble return (Luke Wagner pass to T.J. Jones)

Fourth Quarter

WAC-Clarence Willis 7 run (Guevara kick), 5:53

EST ATT-3,500

LEE WAC

First Downs 13 10

Rushes-Yards 31-76 45-225

Passing Yards 120 27

Comp-Att-Int 11-19-0 1-3-0

Punts-Avg. 3-30.6 3-41.6

Fumbles-Lost 2-1 4-1

Penalties-Yards 6-37 5-35

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING- Robert E. Lee, Jamal Mitchell 13-58, Da Da Brown 11-38, Darieous Dorsey 3-11, Luke Wagner 4-(-31). Waco, Bronshae Dugas 17-75, Toylon Clark 15-93, Clarence Willis 10-36, Peter Smith 1-39, Lamarquet Jones 1-4, Prince Sheppard 1-(-2).

PASSING-Robert E. Lee, Luke Wager 11-19-0 120. Waco, Clarence Willis 1-3-0 27.

RECEIVING-Robert E. Lee, Jamal Mitchell 3-6, Da Da Brown 2-34, Keyoyrus Oliver 2-44, Bryan Runnels 2-12, T.J. Jones 1-15, Joe Turner 1-11. Waco, Bronshae Dugas 1-27.