That’s what most football fans felt about the likelihood of Central Texas Christian upsetting undefeated, third-ranked Dickinson Pine Drive and freshman sensation Keenon Ward.
Many fans were skeptical whether the Lions could prevent the Eagles from winning on the 45-point mercy rule before the second half began.
The CTCS coaches and players turned those doubters into believers on Friday night.
Taylor Truitt accounted for 10 touchdowns and the defense shut down the Eagles’ attack as the Lions outscored Pine Drive 62-13 in the second half to record a stunning 94-63 victory in a TAPPS Six-Man Division I quarterfinal at Panther Stadium, sending CTCS into the state semifinals for the first time since 2004.
“We told them at halftime the difference was mistakes,” said CTCS coach Jeremy Wentrcek, who was doused with ice water after the game. “We felt like we found some weaknesses in their defense. We knew if we could execute we could do it.
“It was God having favor in us and our guys doing some immaculate football playing.”
The Lions (7-5) will face the winner of today’s game between No. 2 Rockwall Heritage and No. 4 Bulverde Bracken Christian in the semifinals next week in Moody.
“We knew it was possible, but we knew we couldn’t do it on our own,” said Truitt, who rushed for 220 yards, threw for 163 and returned an interception 42 yards for a TD. “We had to have the help of God, we had to have an awesome week of practice before and we did and I think that carried into this game.”
CTCS trailed 50-24 with a minute to go before halftime. The Lions then switched from their tight offense to their spread and scored on eight straight possessions.
Truitt found Zack Bassett for a score before the half to trim the deficit to 50-32.
CTCS opened the second half by stopping Ward - who ran 17 times for 343 yards, passed for 201 and accounted for eight TDs - on a fourth-and-13 at Pine Drive’s 18-yard line.
Truitt found Brian Browder on the next play for a score to make it 50-40.
After a rare three-and-out by the Eagles (9-1), CTCS needed eight plays before Truitt scored from the 4 to make it 50-48, which had a fired-up Wentrcek running up the sideline.
On the next offensive play, Ward broke four tackles for a 60-yard score, but the Lions tied it at 56 when Truitt rambled in from 16 yards out.
Driving for the go-ahead score, Pine Drive fumbled and CTCS needed seven plays before Truitt scored for a 62-56 lead.
Ward then broke five tackles for a 63-yard score to give the Eagles a 63-62 lead, but he left the game with a leg injury and did not return.
Without Ward, Pine Drive couldn’t withstand the Lions’ offensive precision as Truitt scored four times in the quarter for the upset win.
“We’ve never had a win like this,” Wentrcek said. “This proves to our guys that they can play with the best. I think this concretes in their head that they can play with anybody.”
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
