Posted 11:48 pm Sunday, December 06, 2009
Klein Wraps Up John Tyler's High-Powered Offense
By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer
WACO -- The heavily-favored John Tyler football team barked up the wrong tree.
Staff Writer
WACO -- The heavily-favored John Tyler football team barked up the wrong tree.
Klein declined its role as underdogs, handing John Tyler a stinging 31-7 defeat in the Class 5A Division II state quarterfinals Saturday at Waco ISD Stadium.
Dekota Barnes bulled his way to 196 yards rushing, including a back-breaking 79-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, as Klein ended JT's season in surprising fashion. Klein (11-3) never trailed, turning four JT turnovers into 24 points to advance to the state semifinals next week, where unbeaten Abilene (13-0) awaits.
The Klein defense intercepted JT quarterback Jeremy Johnson three times, holding the Lions 37 points below their season average in the process with their Barnes-led ball-control attack.
"I was real pleased with what they did," Klein coach Stan Labay said. "(Barnes) stepped up. We're thankful we've got him on our side."
JT ends its season at 12-2 after winning one-third of the district crown, in addition to bi-district, area and regional championships.
The first of two Eric Rowe interceptions ignited Klein and the last by Phillip Holeman near midfield all but blew out JT's remaining fire with the Lions trailing 24-7 with less than four minutes remaining. Klein controlled the offense and defensive line, outrushing JT (221-170) and preventing Johnson from claiming the all-time school rushing record to himself.
Thanks to a late 20-yard scamper, Johnson ended the day with 85 yards to tie Kendall Hunter for first place at 2,799 rushing yards.
"The turnovers were part of it," JT head coach Dereck Rush said. "(That and) they put seven or eight people in the box to stop the run. We've got to counter when they do that."
Rowe picked off Johnson near the end zone on the game's first drive, returned it 40-plus yards and Klein's run-game handled the rest, with Barnes capping an eight-play drive with an 8-yard run off a pitch left to give the Bearkats a lead they never relinquished.
Klein capitalized on three JT turnovers to take a 17-0 lead by halftime despite outgaining the Lions marginally in total yardage in the first half (124-99). JT outgained Klein for the game (257-242) and finished with more first downs (15-10).
After going scoreless in the first half for the first time all year, Cujo charged to life briefly in the third quarter, forcing consecutive three-and-outs before going 89 yards in nine plays, with Johnson hitting a streaking David Bush for a 40-yard TD to make it a 10-point game.
Barnes bailed out Klein, carrying the ball six times on the ensuing possession as the Bearkats burned nearly five minutes off the clock before punting. The Klein defense held afterward after a big sack from Kevin Kisseberth and deflection from Eric Tomlinson to get the ball back.
Two plays later, Barnes broke two tackles and outraced JT's defense to the long TD to all but ice the game with 5:01 showing.
"My eyes were closed. All I know is when I hit that hole, I was gone; I opened my eyes and scored," Barnes said after high-fiving several teammates and pausing to take photos. "We knew we could beat them. I think they came in a little bit too hyped up."
JT's second possession ended like its first when Rowe stepped in front of Johnson's third down pass to the middle of the field, setting up Klein at the Lions 31. JT prevented Klein from getting a first down, but the Bearkats increased their lead nonetheless when Ron Doherty drilled a 43-yard field goal with the wind at his back to make it a 10-0 contest.
After JT's defense forced another three-and-out on Klein's next possession, Ricky Collins committed a costly turnover when he muffed Doherty's arching punt near midfield. Kyle Noakes recovered the muff and Klein methodically marched 48 yards in nine plays, with Alex Muddiman punching in out of the full-house formation. Doherty's point-after increased Klein's lead to 17-0.
JT moved the chains 10 times compared to Klein's three in the second half, but reached paydirt just once.
"They came out in the second half and fought like they've been fighting all year," Rush said. "We came up short. But our kids have nothing to be ashamed of, they've had an outstanding year."
-- -- --
Klein 31, John Tyler 7
At Waco ISD Stadium, Waco
Klein 31, John Tyler 7
At Waco ISD Stadium, Waco
John Tyler 0 0 7 0 -- 7
Klein 10 7 0 14 -- 31
Klein 10 7 0 14 -- 31
First Quarter
KLE -- Dekota Barnes 8 run (Ron Doherty kick), 3:51.
KLE -- Dekota Barnes 8 run (Ron Doherty kick), 3:51.
KLE -- FG Doherty 43, :21.
Second Quarter
KLE -- Alex Muddiman 1 run (Doherty kick), 4:26.
Second Quarter
KLE -- Alex Muddiman 1 run (Doherty kick), 4:26.
Third Quarter
JT -- David Bush 40 pass from Jeremy Johnson (Jesse Diaz kick), 2:02.
JT -- David Bush 40 pass from Jeremy Johnson (Jesse Diaz kick), 2:02.
Fourth Quarter
KLE -- Barnes 79 run (Doherty kick), 5:01.
KLE -- Barnes 79 run (Doherty kick), 5:01.
KLE -- Muddiman 5 run (Doherty kick), 2:11.
EST.ATT.
EST.ATT.
-- 5,000.
JT KLE
First Downs 15 10
JT KLE
First Downs 15 10
Rushes-Yards 36-170 45-221
Passing Yards 87 21
Passing Yards 87 21
Com.-Att.-Int. 7-15-3 2-4-0
Punts-Avg. 5-40.4 4-35.7
Punts-Avg. 5-40.4 4-35.7
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0
Penalties-Yards 3-30 4-35
Penalties-Yards 3-30 4-35
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING -- John Tyler, Jeremy Johnson 18-85, Kedrick Chancellor 9-62, Ky'Ordric Black 9-23.
RUSHING -- John Tyler, Jeremy Johnson 18-85, Kedrick Chancellor 9-62, Ky'Ordric Black 9-23.
Klein,
Dekota Barnes 24-196, Alex Muddiman 7-22, Patrick Johnson 11-17, Team 1-(-2), Michael West 2-(-12).
Dekota Barnes 24-196, Alex Muddiman 7-22, Patrick Johnson 11-17, Team 1-(-2), Michael West 2-(-12).
PASSING -- John Tyler,
Johnson 7-15-3 -- 87.
Klein,
Johnson 7-15-3 -- 87.
Klein,
West 2-4-0 -- 21 .
RECEIVING -- John Tyler,
Ricky Collins 3-15, David Bush 2-44, Black 2-28.
RECEIVING -- John Tyler,
Ricky Collins 3-15, David Bush 2-44, Black 2-28.
Klein,
Barnes 2-21.
Barnes 2-21.
