Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Vikings had already jumped out to a three–touchdown lead in the first quarter en route to a 21–7 win in a District 13–5A contest.
The loss virtually eliminates the Tigers (3–6, 1–4) from qualifying for the postseason but bolstered the chances of the Vikings (4–4, 2–2).
Belton coach Rodney Southern said he was somewhat pleased his defense clamped down, allowing Bryan 95 rushing yards in the final three quarters after giving up 111 in the first.
“I think we partially figured out what they were doing and we had several guys step up and make some big plays,” Southern said. “We also did the things we had to do to stop their running game.”
The Tigers, after falling behind 21–0 in the first quarter in which they were outgained 133–3, didn’t go down without first making things interesting.
On Belton’s first play of the fourth quarter, Keith Daniels - who combined with fellow standout running back Khiry Robinson for zero first–quarter carries - broke free on an 86–yard touchdown run, pulling the Tigers to within two scores.
“I thought we played great defense,” Bryan coach Bob Bellard said. “We gave up one big play but we had good leverage and let the guy outside one time. We adjusted to a lot of sets and formations and didn’t break, and I was really proud of that.”
After a defensive stop, the Tigers took over on the Bryan 47 and drove as far as the 13, highlighted by a leaping catch by Daniels to haul in a throw from quarterback Kevin Thornton, who replaced Cole Dominguez under center in the third quarter.
But the drive only went backwards from there, and the Bryan secondary, as it had all game, held its ground on a fourth–and–23 from the 29 with 2:59 left.
“You want to stick it in down there touchdown–wise so you’re back in the game,” Southern said. “You could onside it if you need to depending on the time but we just didn’t get it in.”
Daniels rushed for 121 yards as the Tigers managed just 157 total yards. Robinson, a playmaker from his safety spot on defense, ran just twice for 6 yards.
“You need to either make a big play or you have to sustain a drive,” Southern said. “We didn’t consistently do that, so obviously that had something to do with the ultimate outcome. But again, you’re blocking a good front, you have to do your job. We did it some but we didn’t do it enough.”
Outside the first quarter, Bryan also had a tough time moving the football, in part due to a depleted backfield. Already missing Stan McGruder to grades, Monterell Washington left the game in the second quarter. Trey Odom paced the Tigers with 118 yards, while quarterback Garrison Kickham did not attempt a pass in the second half.
Of course, with the lead in hand, he really didn’t need to. Kickham, Odom and Washington each scored in the first quarter on third–down runs of less than 10 yards. The Vikings converted eight of their first 11 third–down attempts but missed their last three.
Belton had one last chance with the ball at its 10 and 1:11 left, but managed just a 27–yard pass to Dominguez on the drive.
Dominguez has been under center most of the year since Jacob Phillipe was injured in the Tigers’ opener, and Southern said he hoped a change might spark something.
“We just wanted to get him some work tonight,” Southern said. “Cole was struggling a little bit holding the ball too long. We’ll have to watch it on film to see, but they’re both going to be back next year and they’ll both battle at quarterback, so it’s good for them to both get some work.”
Both quarterbacks struggled. Dominguez threw an interception and Thornton threw two, including his first pass attempt. But again, Southern said a lot of that was due to the Viking defense.
“Their front seven are one of the best if not the best we’ve seen all year,” Southern said. “I think they played that way.”
The Tigers close out their year at home Friday against College Station A&M Consolidated, while the Vikings travel to Leo Buckley Stadium to take on Harker Heights on Thursday.
ecarifio@temple-telegram.com
