Posted 1:49 am Saturday, November 21, 2009
No. 1 Arp Tigers Squash Jefferson's Rally
By SHANE STARK
Staff Writer
TATUM -- Arp's defense has topped the area throughout the season, helping the Tigers dominate most of their first 11 opponents.
Staff Writer
TATUM -- Arp's defense has topped the area throughout the season, helping the Tigers dominate most of their first 11 opponents.
It came through again Friday night.
Arp stopped Jefferson's scoring threat with time running out to win 14-7 in a Class 2A Division I regional playoff at Eagle Stadium.
Arp stopped Jefferson's scoring threat with time running out to win 14-7 in a Class 2A Division I regional playoff at Eagle Stadium.
The Tigers sacked Bulldogs quarterback Clarence Lee on fourth down at their own 10-yard line with 29 seconds remaining.
With the win, top-ranked Arp (12-0) advanced to the state quarterfinals for the third consecutive season to meet the winner between Kirbyville and Anahuac.
A season after Arp beat Jefferson 21-7 in the same round, the Tigers were on upset alert after quarterback Kyle Copeland was intercepted with less than three minutes to go.
Jefferson (6-6) defensive back Darian Frierson returned the interception 39 yards to the Arp 36, giving the Bulldogs their best field position of the night.
On the first play of the drive, Lee found running back Destin Moseley for a 14-yard gain to move the ball to the Tigers 22. Lee picked up nine more yards on second down to put the ball at the 13, and earned first down on a 2-yard run to the 11.
Lee then threw a pair of incompletions, missing a wide open receiver in the end zone on the second. He took the third down carry to the Tigers 5, but was stopped by Arp's Kasey McClendon for a 5-yard loss on a fourth-down scramble to end the threat.
Arp, which allowed 102 total yards to Franklin in the postseason opener, put together another defensive gem. The Tigers gave up 142 yards and eight first downs.
In the meantime, Arp running back LaVocheya Cooper carried the ball 20 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. His score came from 1 yard out to make it 7-0 with 11:58 remaining in the second quarter.
The Tigers' Michael Wade improved it to 14-0 with a 1-yard plunge with 2:17 left in the quarter.
Jefferson never went away, though.
The Bulldogs pulled within seven with 3:50 left in the third when Lee scored on a 1-yard run. The drive began at the Arp 2-yard line due to a snapping miscue on the Tigers' only punt attempt of the game.
The Bulldogs pulled within seven with 3:50 left in the third when Lee scored on a 1-yard run. The drive began at the Arp 2-yard line due to a snapping miscue on the Tigers' only punt attempt of the game.
-- -- --
Arp 14, Jefferson 7
Class 2A Division I Regional Playoff
Arp 14, Jefferson 7
Class 2A Division I Regional Playoff
At Eagle Stadium, Tatum
Arp 0 14 0 0 -- 14
Arp 0 14 0 0 -- 14
Jefferson 0 0 7 0 -- 7
Second Quarter
Second Quarter
ARP -- LaVocheya Cooper 1 run (Lars Lemke kick), 11:58
ARP -- Michael Wade 1 run (Lemke kick), 2:17
Third Quarter
Third Quarter
JEF -- Clarence Lee 1 run (Connor Carroll kick), 3:50
ARP JEF
First Downs 11 8
Rushes-Yards 39-139 34-84
First Downs 11 8
Rushes-Yards 39-139 34-84
Comp.-Att.-Int. 9-18-1 4-11-1
Passing Yards 102 42
Passing Yards 102 42
Fumbles-Lost 3-1 1-1
Penalties-Yards 2-10 2-20
Penalties-Yards 2-10 2-20
Punts-Average 0-0 3-41.3
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING -- Arp,
LaVocheya Cooper 20-75, Kasey McClendon 6-38, Michael Wade 7-19, Kyle Copeland 6-7.
LaVocheya Cooper 20-75, Kasey McClendon 6-38, Michael Wade 7-19, Kyle Copeland 6-7.
Jefferson, Clarence Lee 20-42, Destin Moseley 11-33, Devin Figures 2-11, Damon Gray 1-2, Davonta Norris 1-(-4).
PASSING -- Arp,
Copeland 9-18-1 -- 102.
Jefferson,
Copeland 9-18-1 -- 102.
Jefferson,
Lee 4-11-1 -- 42..
RECEIVING -- Arp,
Michael Wade 4-54, Clint Copeland 3-26, Andrew Brown 1-26, Michael Roberson 1-(-2).
RECEIVING -- Arp,
Michael Wade 4-54, Clint Copeland 3-26, Andrew Brown 1-26, Michael Roberson 1-(-2).
Jefferson,
Figures 1-18, Moseley 1-14, D.Gray 1-10, D.J. McDonald 1-0.
Figures 1-18, Moseley 1-14, D.Gray 1-10, D.J. McDonald 1-0.
