FB: Bears get late start vs. Tigers, 34-12
It wasn't the fast start to the season that Head Coach Kenny Washington was hoping for, but the Timpson Bears did settle down after a slow start Friday night and have some positives out of their 34-12 season-opening setback to West Sabine at Tiger Stadium.
After spotting West Sabine a 34-0 lead early in the third quarter, Timpson's offense came alive, scoring a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns as the Bears actually outgained the Tigers 254-195 in total offense.
Lance Richard and Laderius Bryan paced the THS ground game with a combined 146 yards on 17 carries, averaging an impressive 8.6-yards per haul. Richard ran for 86 yards on seven carries, while Bryan picked up 61 more on 10 attempts. Both appear to be on their way to an impressive 2010 campaign. Rody Paige added 25 yards on four carries.
Timpson actually outgained West Sabine on the ground as the Bears racked up 209 yards, while the Bear defense held the Tigers to just 123.
Starting his first game at quarterback for Timpson, Lorenzo Young ran for 30 yards and a score on just six carries. He also completed 3-of-5 (60%) for 44 yards and another touchdown.
Bryan was Young's favorite target as he pulled in two aerials for 38 yards and score. Paige pulled down the other pass for six yards.
Zac Waller led the Tigers with 56 yards rushing, scoring on both of his carries. Quarterback Devonte Thomas also scored once on the ground, while picking up 29 yards on four attempts. Brandon Weatherspoon added 15 yards and a score on just two carries.
Thomas completed 4-of-7 passes for 49 yards, but the Bears picked him off once. Eli Connor was on the receiving end of three passes for 24 yards and a score, while Waller pulled in two for 21 yards, Thomas had one reception for 15 yards and Weatherspoon hauled in one for 12.
Neither team was able to penetrate its opponent's goalline until the final minute of the opening stanza when Thomas culminated a 3-play, 40-yard drive with a 24-yard scoring run with just 29 tickets left on the clock.
The Tigers then added a 20-yard by Conner, a nine-yard run by Weatherspoon and a 10-yard run by Waller in the second period to build a 28-0 lead at intermission. West Sabine didn't have to go very far for their scoring drives in the period, scoring on quests of 42, 15 and 42 yards, respectively, in the period.
The Tigers then added a final scoring run of 46 yards by Waller with just 21 seconds gone in the third quarter to widen the gap to 34-0.
Timpson's offense then finally penetrated the goalline in the final stanza. The Bears received a one-yard scoring run at the 10:51 mark by Young that culminated a 9-play, 38-yard drive. Bryan then completed a 4-play, 41-yard march with a 29-yard TD with 1:30 left on the clock.
Timpson will have its hands full for a second straight week on Friday when the Bears travel to No.4-ranked Tenaha for a 7:30 p.m. West Sabine will host Hemphill Friday.
John Krueger's email address is pineywoodssports@yahoo.com.
STATS AT A GLANCE
THS WSHS
First Downs 23 17
Rushes-Yards 29-209 13-123
Passing Yards 45 72
Total Yards 254 195
Passes 3-5-0 7-10-1
Punts-Avg. 4-33.8 4-36.5
Fumbles-Lost 3-1 1-0
Penalties-Yards 3-15 3-25
SCORING BY QUARTERS
Timpson 00 00 00 12 = 12
West Sabine 06 22 06 00 = 34
INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS
Rushing
Timpson: Lance Richard 7-86; Laderius Bryan 10-61; Lorenzo Young 6-30 TD; Rody Paige 4-25. West Sabine: Zac Waller 2-56 2TD; Devonte Thomas 4-29 TD; Brandon Weatherspoon 2-15 TD; Chris Williams 3-12.
Passing
Timpson: Lorenzo Young: 3-5-0 44 yards TD. West Sabine: Devonte Thomas 4-7-1 49 yards; Zac Waller 1-1-0 15 yards.
Receiving
Timpson: Laderius Bryan 2-38 TD; Rody Paige 1-6. West Sabine: Eli Connor 3-24 TD; Zac Waller 2-21; Devonte Thomas 1-15; Brandon Weatherspoon 1-12.
Records / Up Next
Timpson 0-1 / Sept. 3 at Tenaha. West Sabine 1-0 / Sept. 3 vs. Hemphill.