Yoe defense dominates in regional win over Teague

With 3:32 left in the first quarter of Friday’s 3A regional semifinal game in Temple, it was Teague that broke through with the initial touchdown on a 36-yard pass from Antonio Heard to his brother Tyrese Heard.  

That would end up being the only time that points would go up on the visitors side of the scoreboard the entire night, as the Yoe defense dominated in a 23-6 win over the Lions. 

"Our coaches did a great job," said Yoemen head coach Tommy Brashear.  "We gave them some different looks and the game plan was to not let Heard beat us.  He still got some yards here and there, but overall I felt like we did a great job containing him tonight.  I can't say enough about our defensive game plan and our defensive effort."

Cameron (11-2) now advances to play Malakoff in the state quarterfinals while Teague finishes the season at 10-3.  The Yoemen are now 4-0 all-time versus Teague.  

The normally efficient rushing attack from quarterback Heard and running back Tavis Coleman were held in check by the Yoe defense, with 128 yards on 43 carries and no rushing touchdowns on the evening. 

"Our defense has been getting better and better all year," said Brashear.  "We've had some injuries on that side of the ball throughout the year and we've had to put some other people in.  In the long run it helped us.  A lot of guys got experience, so we have a lot of depth on that side of the ball now because of that."

Cameron took the lead in the second quarter, with quarterback Zack Andress rushing it in from eight yards out.  Cameron added on a 21-yard field goal from Adrian Lewis to take the 10-6 lead into the half. 

In the second half the Yoemen continued their dominating streak, effectively not allowing Heard to break off big runs.  

"We just wanted to make a statement," said senior defensive end Jesse Valdez.  "We came in here with one mindset and we came and got the win.  That's what we all wanted."

The game remained at 10-6 through the third before Cameron created some breathing room when running back Nico Vargas broke through with a 12-yard touchdown run with eight minutes remaining in the game.  The freshmen also started at linebacker for the Yoemen.  

"He just keeps getting better and better," said Brashear.  "He had a big learning curve on both sides of the ball throughout the year, and he has done a great job.  He is helping us in all phases of the game.  When we wear a team down, we put him in their in the fourth quarter and we pound it with him.  It makes it tough on those worn out defensive lineman."

Directly after going up 17-6,  Eddie Luna made sure no Lion comeback would be in order.  The senior linebacker alertly intercepted a Heard pass, giving the ball back to the Yoe offense. 

"He usually tries to cut it back, but whenever he rolls out somebody is behind me." said Luna.  "I knew someone was either behind me or somewhere around.  I just felt like he was really going to throw it to me and he did."

Cameron, which had struggled to finish drives in the first half, closed the game out when it mattered the most.  Tydrick Williams, the third running back to touch the ball, put the Yoemen up 23-6 on a 5-yard run. 

"They were giving us a little different look than we have seen, so we stalled out down there a few times," stated Brashear.  "Some of that had to do with my play calling and some of that had to do with their defense.  They were very good on both sides of the ball and their defense was very salty.  We had to figure some things out and I feel like we wore them down a bit as the game went on."

Cameron will play Malakoff on Friday, December 2 at Waco ISD Stadium.  Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.  After being down 32-7 in last year's area round game, the Yoemen made an improbable comeback to defeat the Tigers, 45-44.  

"Malakoff is a really, really good team," said Luna.  "We just have to come out and play like we did today.  Even better than today."

SCORING

1st Quarter

Teague: Antonio Heard 36-yard pass to Tyrese Heard - kick blocked - 6-0 Teague - 3:23

2nd Quarter

Cameron: Zack Andress 8-yard run - Adrian Lewis kick - 7-6 Yoe - 7:26

Cameron: Adrian Lewis 21-yard field goal - 10-6 Yoe - 3:16

3rd Quarter

NO SCORES

4th Quarter

Cameron: Nico Vargas 12-yard run - Lewis kick - 17-6 Yoe - 8:02

Cameron: Tydrick Williams 5-yard run - pass failed - 23-6 Yoe - 4:13

STATS

Cameron

First Downs: 17

Rushing Yards: 29-86

Passing Yards: 207

Passes: 15-26-1

Punts: 1-37

Fumbles/Fumbles Lost: 1-1

Penalties: 7-50

INDIVIDUAL

Rushing: Nico Vargas, 7-41; D.J. Fripp, 8-24; Zack Andress, 9-17; Tydrick Williams, 3-14

Passing: Zack Andress, 13-24-1, 197 yards; Caden Harris, 2-2, 10 yards

Receiving: Sicory Smith, 4-93; Jordan Young, 3-57; Iverson Westbrook, 3-20; Jordan Wells, 2-19; KeAndrew Moore, 2-10

Teague

First Downs: 12

Rushing Yards: 43-128

Passing Yards: 53

Passing: 3-10-1

Punts: 3-33.8

Fumbles/Fumbles Lost: 0-0

Penalties: 8-73

INDIVIDUAL

Rushing: Tavis Coleman, 24-81; Antonio Heard, 19-47

Passing: Antonio Heard, 3-10-1, 53 yards, 1 touchdown

Receiving: Tyrese Heard, 1-36; Tavis Coleman, 2-17