PLAYOFFS: Takeaways vault Malakoff past Grandview, 42-7
Tigers will face Winnsboro in Regional Championship next week
(Photo: Mike Jones and Coach Jamie Driskell confer on the sidelines during Friday afternoon’s game.)
By Michael V. Hannigan
MESQUITE -- The Malakoff Tigers rode a big second quarter to a 42-7 Class 3A DI Regional Semifinal win over Grandview at E.H. Hanby Stadium in Mesquite Friday afternoon.
The win keeps Malakoff's record perfect at 13-0 and sets up a Regional Championship game against the also undefeated Winnsboro Raiders next week in Forney.
"Really proud of the full effort by everybody," said Malakoff Coach Jamie Driskell. "We're moving on."
(Post sponsored by Tinsley Law & Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, GILBERT ELECTRIC)
The Tigers exploded for 21 points in the second quarter to build a 28-7 halftime lead on Friday, including a 38-yard pass from Mike Jones to Jack Hustead with 8 seconds left in the half.
Malakoff forced three turnovers in the first half: interceptions by Mike Jones and Chauncey Hogg and a fumble recovery by Parker Poteete.
Jones picked off Grandview in the end zone in the first quarter to stop a scoring threat and immediately led the Tigers on an 80-yard drive for the first TD of the day on a 4-yard run by Jerrion Hall.
Hogg's interception also keyed a scoring drive for the Tigers. The Malakoff senior has picked off a pass in every playoff game.
Coach Driskell said the interception by Jones helped set the tone.
"Probably the play of the game," he said. "Probably changed the momentum of everything. Turnovers and takeaways are always big."
The Tigers got gutsy performances out of Hall and Bubba Hicks, who were questionable to play because of injuries.
"We just told them both if they could play just one side of the ball," Coach Driskell said. "Jerrion took some shots and kept rolling through there and didn't let it phase him, and then Bubba played really well defensively."
Hall gained 110 yards and had three touchdowns on 19 carries. Hustead led all Malakoff receivers with 98 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.
Jones had a huge game for the Tigers on both sides of the ball. He ran for 84 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and threw for 134 yards and a touchdown. Jones also played a big role on defense in this game, helping Malakoff hold Grandview to one score.
The Zebras gained 241 yards for the game, but 109 of those came on just two plays. Malakoff's defense dominated the game.
"(Jones) played great on both sides of the ball," said Coach Driskell, who then added, "(LB) James Studley might be the best player on the field tonight."
Malakoff will next face Winnsboro at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in Forney.
SCORING SUMMARY
MALAKOFF -- 1Q, 2:27 -- Jerrion Hall 4-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 7-0
MALAKOFF -- 2Q, 8:11 -- Mike Jones 31-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 14-0
GRANDVIEW -- 2Q, 5:29 -- Mason Landers 52-yard pass to Easton Ebner. Kick good. -- 14-7
MALAKOFF -- 2Q, 1:06 -- Jerrion Hall 2-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 21-7
MALAKOFF -- 2Q, 0:08 -- Mike Jones 38-yard pass to Jack Hustead. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 28-7
MALAKOFF -- 3Q, 7:36 -- Chauncey Hogg 57-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 35-7
MALAKOFF -- 4Q, 10:31 -- Jerrion Hall 5-yard run. Landen Boswell kick good. -- 42-7