(Post sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy, GILBERT ELECTRIC)
By Michael V. Hannigan
FORNEY -- The Malakoff Tigers got off to a fast start on their way to knocking off Winnsboro, 58-20, in the Class 3A, Division 1, Region 2 Championship Friday night.
"We were really tough tonight," said Malakoff Coach Jamie Driskell. "Our toughness was kind of the difference, I thought."
Malakoff raced out to a 20-7 lead in the first quarter, but it wasn't just the score that demoralized Winnsboro; it was how it happened.
The Red Raiders started well, taking the opening kickoff and driving 45 yards on six plays before throwing three incompletions and then taking a sack to turn the ball over on downs.
Malakoff's offense trotted out onto the field and handed off to Jerrion Hall, who raced 51 yards for a touchdown. One snap, one touchdown.
Winnsboro then put together another nice drive before stalling and turning the ball over on downs.
This time, it took the Tiger offense two snaps before quarterback Mike Jones broke off a 48-yard touchdown run, and Malakoff had a 14-0 lead.
The Red Raiders finally put it all together on their next drive, cashing in on a 7-yard TD pass to close the gap to 14-7. The Winnsboro fans thought their team was finally in the game.
Until Chauncey Hogg took the ensuing kickoff 68 yards for a touchdown.
The Red Raiders had thrown everything it had at Malakoff, twice going for it on fourth down. The Tigers had possessed the ball for a grand total of 43 seconds.
Score: Malakoff 20, Winnsboro 7.
Coach Driskell said the fast start was a big factor in the game.
"I think it made them start pressing a little bit," he said. "You never know how the game is going to start. We were worried about them getting a fast start on us because their offensive is so explosive."
The Red Raiders averaged 55 points per game in 12 games this season and broke 70 points in both of their previous playoff games. But that was before facing the Tigers.
Winnsboro quarterback Kyle Finney was harassed all night by the Tigers' pressure and struggled to find either open receivers or room to run. He threw two interceptions to Chauncey Hogg and Kayland Davis.
Chauncey Hogg had an eye-popping game for the Tigers, scoring on a kickoff return, getting an interception, blocking an extra point, and then returning the block for a 2-point conversion.
Jerrion Hall finished the game with 182 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 19 carries. Mike Jones added 77 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.
With the win, the 14-0 Tigers advance to the State Semifinal against Brock at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Ford Center in Frisco.
SCORING SUMMARY
- MALAKOFF -- 1Q, 9:18 -- Jerrion Hall 51-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 7-0
MALAKOFF -- 1Q, 4:29 -- Mike Jones 48-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 14-0
WINNSBORO -- 1Q, 1:35 -- Kyle Finney 7-yard pass to Tyson Johnson. Rudy Calderon kick good. -- 14-7
MALAKOFF -- 1Q, 1:22 -- Chauncey Hogg 68-yard kickoff return. Kick no good. -- 20-7
MALAKOFF -- 2Q, 11:46 -- Jerrion Hall 4-yard run. Jerrion Hall 2 pt run. -- 28-7
WINNSBORO -- 2Q, 1:50 -- Kyle Finney 3-yard run. Kick blocked by Malakoff's Chauncey Hogg and returned for a 2-point conversion. -- 30-13
MALAKOFF -- 3Q, 9:07 -- Jerrion Hall 17-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. 37-13
MALAKOFF -- 3Q, 5:40 -- Mike Jones 1-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. 44-13
WINNSBORO -- 3Q, 1:19 -- Kyle Finney 44-yard pass to Camden Capeheart. Rudy Calderon kick good. -- 44-20
MALAKOFF -- 4Q, 10:03 -- Jerrion Hall 1-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 51-20
MALAKOFF -- 4Q, 4:56 -- Davion Johnson 1-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 58-20
PLAYOFFS: Malakoff runs past Winnsboro, 58-20