Tigers ground War Eagles, even mark at 2-2

The Katy High School football team played its most complete game of the 2008 season, as a vastly-improved offensive attack combined with a turnover-happy defense to produce a 27-10 victory over Oak Ridge Saturday afternoon at Rhodes Stadium.

 

The Tiger defense did not allow a touchdown until the final minute of the game, and only then after a blocked punt gave the War Eagles possession at the Katy five-yard line.

After spotting Oak Ridge an early field goal, the Tigers took the ball away from them four times with three fumble recoveries and an interception.

“Physical practices, being coachable and being meticulous are what is making this a good defense,” senior captain Elvin Tapong, who recorded one of the fumble recoveries said.

“What happened after we lost to The Woodlands (47-0) has been the turning point of this season.”

With senior tailback Michael Webber missing the game with a back injury, the Tigers turned to sophomore Vernon Jeffries and he lived up to the duty and then some.

In his first varsity start, Jeffries rushed 26 times for 116 yards and scored a touchdown.

“I was very nervous before the game, I didn't want to do something and screw up,” Jeffries said. “Once I took a couple of hits I started feeling better, and the offensive line was tremendous getting holes open for me.”

That line also gave quarterback Parker Ray ample time to throw, something he didn't have earlier in the season. Ray got a chance to show off his arm time and again on play-action passes, and had easily his best game of the season, completing 7-of-15 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

Trailing 3-0 after a quarter, the Tigers erupted for 21 points in the second stanza. Taking advantage of a nine-yard Oak Ridge punt, Katy started at the War Eagle 46-yard line.

Jeffries carried the ball five straight times down to the 19-yard line, and on the first play of the second quarter, Ray hit Kyle Hirschfelder for a 19-yard touchdown.

Katy's next possession began at its own 46-yard line and ended eight seconds later when Ray hit Taylor Brand in stride for a 54-yard touchdown, Brand's second long ball for a score since rejoining the team.

“Kyle is doing it all for us, playing both ways and filling in any role he's asked,” Ray said. “Tayor is the best athlete on this team, and he's been able to get his life turned around and come back wanting to work.”

After stopping Oak Ridge on a three-and-out, the Tigers went 71 yards in 11 plays, with Ray hitting tight end Bryce Calender for gains of 22 and 11 in play-action situations.

Jeffries scored from a yard out to make it 21-3 Katy with 3:22 left in the first half.

Oak Ridge broke midfield on its first two possessions of the third quarter, but could not put points on the board. On the second trip, Oak Ridge attempted a halfback pass which Katy's Ryan Rose intercepted in the end zone.

On Oak Ridge's next possession, a fumble was recovered by Tiger defensive back Van Atwood.

Ray and Brandt hooked up on a 45-yard connection to the Oak Ridge 16, and Raul Balbuena nailed a 26-yard field goal to make it a 24-3 lead with 1:41 left in the third quarter.

Oak Ridge responded with its longest drive of the game, going from its own 28 to the Katy 26 in 13 plays, but Katy held again on fourth down to take the ball back.

Will Jeffery came in at tailback and racked up 37 yards on five carries before Balbuena drilled another field goal to make it 27-3 with 3:51 left in the game.

A blocked punt allowed Oak Ridge to take possession at the Katy five, and the War Eagles scored on a fullback dive with 1:10 left to break into double digits.

Katy returns to action next Saturday when the Tigers take on the Cypress Bay Lightning at 2:30 p.m. At Rhodes Stadium in a game that will be broadcast nation-wide on ESPNU.