Yoe’s miscues, late controversial call costly in home-opening loss to Giddings

Friday’s home opener versus Giddings was a roller coaster rides for everyone involved. After trailing at the half, 13-0, the Yoemen responded, scoring 21 straight points to take a 21-13 lead into the fourth quarter. However, it was Giddings with the late response, scoring on a 75-yard pass followed by a 24-yard Mark Orocio field goal as time expired to escape Yoe Field with an undefeated 4-0 record in tact.

The kick came after what was a 30 minute lightning delay. Giddings was in the position due to a controversial penalty on the Yoemen a few plays earlier. Giddings had set up for a 38-yard field goal attempt, but the kick was wide left. A personal foul penalty was called for leaping over the the line of scrimmage.

Regardless of the late call, the Yoemen will look back on a few critical points that put them in the position late, which would include another slow start and four turnovers.

“It was the second week in a row that we started slow, and we have to stop doing that,” said Yoe coach Tommy Brashear, who’s team also trailed Gatesville last week before exploding in the second half. “We hurt ourselves with tons of mistakes. The kids are down and they are coming up apologizing because we made a lot of mistakes. But, we can’t let this define our season and we have to move on. I was proud of their effort. There are tears over and there would not be tears if they did not care.”

Cameron threw two interceptions in the first half, had a fumble near the goal line in the third quarter, and then the most critical turnover was at their own 26-yard line while still up 21-19 with just 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“That is a huge difference,” said Brashear on the turnovers. “They were very good, especially up front on the defensive line and we knew that coming in. We got some things figured out and could move the ball on them. You just can’t have that many turnovers against a good team and we learned a good lesson tonight.”

After picking up just four first downs and 112 yards in the first half, the Yoe offense heated up in the final two quarters, totalling eight first downs and 252 total yards.

Cameron began their comeback at the 8:02 mark of the third quarter when running-back Davion Bynaum took the draw handoff up the middle and was gone for a 40-yard touchdown.

To begin the fourth, Nico Vargas also took a carry up the middle, and ran free for a 33-yard touchdown.

After throwing the two interceptions in the first half, quarterback Braden Brashear settled down, completing all nine of his second half passes while connecting with Kadrian Hammond for a 59-yard score at the 8:22 mark of the fourth quarter to put Cameron up 21-13.

That was all set up by a Yoe defense that also improved their level of play in the second half, posting four consecutive three and outs before the Buffaloes got a receiver behind the secondary for a 75-yard touchdown - their only score of the second half.

“I was not pleased with how we played on offense or defense in that first half and the second half we played a whole lot better on both sides of the ball,” Brashear said.

Despite the tough loss, total attention now has to go to Troy, which is Cameron’s 10-3A opening opponent coming up this Friday.

“We have district coming up next week and we have to get on a roll,” said Brashear. “Monday was not a great practice, Tuesday was okay and Wednesday was pretty good. That might be contributing to some of our slow starts and I’m trying to sell them on that. We have a good Troy team that we are going there to play, so we need to have a good week of practice.”

Scoring

1st Quarter

Giddings: Ja;Darius Johnson 1-yard run - Mark Osorio kick - 7-0 Giddings - 4:42

2nd Quarter

Giddings: Johnson 4-yard run - kick blocked - 13-0 Giddings - 10:21

3rd Quarter

Cameron: Davion Bynaum 40-yard run - Thomas Melton kick - 13-7 Giddings - 8:02

4th Quarter

Cameron: Nico Vargas 33-yard run - Melton kick - 14-13 Cameron - 11:03

Cameron: Braden Brashear 59-yard pass to Kadrian Hammond - Ulices Cardona kick - 21-13 Yoe - 8:07

Giddings: Alex DeLaTorre 75-yard pass to Drake Moore - 2-point conversion failed - 21-19 Yoe - 8:07

Giddings: Osorio 24-yard field goal - 22-21 Giddings - 0:00

Stats

Cameron Yoe

First Downs: 12

Rushing: 22-119

Passing yards: 245

Passes: 20-26-2

Punts: 4-30.8

Fumbles/Fumbles Lost: 3-2

Penalties: 5-30

Rushing: Davion Bynaum: 9-51; Nico Vargas: 7-46

Passing: Braden Brashear: 20-26-2, 245 yards

Receiving: Kadria Hammond, 8-159; Kobe Young, 4-51

Giddings

First Downs: 12

Rushing: 34-119

Passing yards: 173

Passes: 9-17-0

Punts: 6-38.5

Fumbles/Fumbles Lost: 0/0

Penalties: 1-10

Rushing: Johnson: 14-70; Alex DeLaTorre, 13-37

Passing: DeLaTorre, 9-17, 173 yards

Receiving: Drake Moore, 1-75; Jalon Joiner, 3-49; Gage Jaehne, 3-36