They paced the offense just enough for Belton’s Kyle Voss, Killeen Shoemaker’s R.J. Allen and the defense to preserve the victory.
The Red team overcame a 10-0 deficit with 29 straight points before holding on for a 29-24 win over the Blue team Saturday night in the inaugural Fellowship of Christian Athletes Super Centex Victory Bowl at Baylor’s Floyd Casey Stadium.
“I knew it would be pretty close in the end,” said Gunn, who’s headed to play football at NCAA Division III Mary Hardin-Baylor in the fall. “I knew neither team would let it get away. I just knew it would wind up being a good game.”
What was supposed to be a low-key all-star exhibition was filled with high intensity and the fever didn’t stop until Blue quarterback Xavier Shaw of Chilton was tackled at the Red’s 34-yard line as time expired.
“I’ve never been in a playoff game, so I imagine that’s what a playoff game would feel like,” said Voss, who’s headed to Division II West Texas A&M. “It was pretty loud and fun.”
The Red team trailed 10-0 and didn’t record a first down until 7½ minutes remained in the second quarter. That’s when Gunn and the offense went to work, driving 93 yards in seven plays as Itasca’s De’Veon Mayberry scored from 24 yards out.
“The offensive line just stepped up and everybody else just fell into place,” Gunn said. “Everybody else stepped up their game. It was just a good all-around team effort to get some points on the board.”
Later in the second quarter, Allen - the defensive Most Valuable Player who switched from his usual end position to play cornerback for the first time - turned the momentum when he recovered a fumble in the end zone for his first career touchdown and a 14-10 lead.
“My coach told me I couldn’t come back to Shoemaker if I didn’t get the MVP award,” said Allen, who also showed off his freakish athleticism by running down Marlin’s Jordan Richardson on a 56-yard run to prevent a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“It was just me being hyped for the game and playing to my full extent, and I just came here ready to play.”
Temple’s Chris Winkler drilled a 40-yard field goal and Conrad caught a 22-yard TD pass from offensive MVP Weston Popham of Axtell as the Red team took advantage of two more Blue turnovers for a 23-10 halftime lead.
“Coach (Mark Bell of China Spring) told us it was going to be big for us and it was,” said Conrad, who likely will play at NAIA Sterling (Kan.). “I was real happy (after the touchdown). I jumped up and didn’t know what to do.”
Crowder caught a 26-yard TD pass from Popham for a 29-10 lead early in the third.
Salado’s Tyler Coker had a 15-yard TD reception for the Blue team to trim the deficit to 29-24 before the Red held on.
The night was nearly flawless for Winkler, who along with his long field goal went 2-for-4 on extra-point kicks and booted six kickoffs for touchbacks.
“I was very thankful (for the opportunity),” said Winkler, who is a preferred walk-on looking to earn a spot with Baylor. “The kickoffs were obviously wonderful.”
Temple’s Garfield Hawk moved from his usual defensive end position to tackle and helped Voss and Allen key the defense.
“I was able to make the adjustment and everything went well,” Hawk said. “Everybody kind of got on each other. We had to step up the intensity and we had to get after it.”
Said Voss who recorded at least half a dozen tackles: “Next year it’s going to be even better. It was an awesome experience and I’m glad I did it.”
NOTE: Salado’s Ciera Pipes was named most outstanding cheerleader.
