Yoe improved its record to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in District 24-3A to maintain a share of the league lead with fourth-ranked Navasota. The Mustangs fell to 2-5, 1-3 in district.
The game boiled down to the Yoemen’s balanced and explosive attack featuring several offensive threats versus Madisonville’s productive running game built around star tailback Chris Whaley, who has committed to play for Texas.
Whaley didn’t disappoint, gaining 188 yards on 28 carries, but he reached the end zone only once after scoring six times last week against the Taylor Ducks in a 373-yard rushing performance.
After a fairly even first half, Yoe seized control of the game on both sides of the ball in the second half. Offensively the Yoemen wracked up 20 first downs, 217 yards rushing and 392 yards total in the game, with 139 rushing yards and 199 total coming after halftime.
Townsend did a good job distributing the ball, completing passes to seven receivers and heading up a group of four Yoemen who each had at least 20 yards rushing.
Meanwhile, after allowing nine first downs and 180 yards rushing in the first half, the Yoe defense limited the Mustangs to only one first down and 57 yards rushing following the intermission.
Jarrett Beckhusen, David Henderson, Philip Nickerson, Heath Kirk and Devin Hemphill sparked the defensive effort for Yoe.
Special teams set up the Yoemen’s first score when Jake Young blocked a Madisonville punt early in the first quarter. Yoe took possession at the Madisonville 5 and scored two plays later when Townsend lofted a pass to Justin Sapp in the back of the end zone.
Juan Carlos Saucedo kicked the point after, giving the Yoe a 7-0 lead with 10:25 left in the period.
The Mustangs stampeded right back, moving 86 yards in eight plays to tie the score with 6:51 remaining in the quarter. Whaley was the workhorse on the drive, gaining all 86 yards on seven carries. He capped the drive with a 36-yard touchdown run on a toss sweep to the right.
Whaley finished the opening quarter with 110 yards rushing and had chalked up 138 by the half.
Yoe answered with a lengthy drive of its own, moving 62 yards in eight plays to score on Townsend’s 35-yard pass to James Wells on fourth-and-10. Townsend gave a good pump-fake on the play to draw in the defense and found Wells all alone behind the secondary.
Saucedo’s PAT kick gave the Yoemen a 14-7 edge with 3:01 remaining in the period.
Madisonville threatened to score on its next drive, moving from its 20 to the Yoe 23 in seven plays, including runs of 12 and 18 yards by Whaley. But there the defense stiffened, and the Mustangs gave the ball over on downs at the Yoe 26.
The Yoemen moved the distance in nine plays, scoring on Wells’ 1-yard run with 6:34 left in the half. Key plays on the drive were a 31-yard run by Wells and a 21-yard scamper by Townsend on fourth-and-1.
Yoe’s first possession of the second half resulted in more points, with the Yoemen marching 68 yards in seven plays. Damyon Kelley finished the drive by taking a pitch from Townsend and scooting 5 yards around right end. The Mustangs blocked the PAT kick, leaving the score 27-7 with 8:36 left in the third quarter.
Kelley’s touchdown came one play after he hauled in a 25-yard pass from Townsend.
On its next possession, Madisonville moved from its 27 to the Yoe 30 before giving the ball over on downs.
The Yoemen marched right back down the field, scoring on Townsend’s 42-yard dash to the right side. Saucedo’s PAT made the score 34-7 with 2:32 remaining in the period.
Yoe will travel to Bryan next Friday to play the first-year Rudder Rangers.
rray@temple-telegram.com
