The Knights Roll On
Elkins' second half explosion clinches a playoff spot
Roger Smith
Nov 15, 2018, 5:00 am
Elkins will face Katy Tompkins in next week’s bi-district round of the Class 6A Div. II playoffs. Vype
Originally appeared on Vype
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SUGAR LAND – The Elkins Knights exploded for 28 unanswered points in the second half Saturday afternoon at Mercer Stadium, prevailing 35-21 to earn the last available playoff spot in District 20-6A. Quarterback Cameron George threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others, with the last one covering 58 yards and slamming the door with 42 seconds remaining.
Elkins’ dominant second half performance was stunning because the Bulldogs had their way in the first two quarters. After Knights’ kicker Ethan Henry missed a 28-yard field goal wide left with 3:40 left in the first, Austin QB Trey Larsen lofted a 46-yard rainbow TD bomb to Troy Omeire. The ‘Dawgs led 7-0 with 1:44 remaining.
The ‘Dawgs domination and the Knights’ frustration continued. George lifted an even longer and more beautiful pass to Kolby White for an apparent 70-yard score, but offensive holding nullified it. After the Knights punted it away and the second quarter began, Austin’s Moise Tezzo scored the first of his two TDs with 7:31 left in the half and the Bulldogs were on top 14-0.
The only memorable moment the Knights’ offense had in the first half was George’s 20-yard strike to Mike Granson that narrowed the gap to 14-7. On their next possession, with an opportunity to drive for a tying touchdown, George threw late over the middle where Omeire intercepted and returned the ball to the ‘Dawgs’ 29.
With less than two minutes left before intermission, Tezzo broke at least three tackles and outran the Knights’ secondary for a 72-yard TD, his ninth and longest of the season. When the first half dust settled, Austin was on top 21-7.
Omeire’s second interception of the game stopped the Knights’ first drive of the third quarter, but the Elkins defense forced a three-and-out.
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Jeremy Peña homered and Yordan Alvarez got his first hit this season, a tiebreaking double in the sixth inning that lifted the Houston Astros to a 2-1 win over the New York Mets on Saturday night.
Houston took two of three in a season-opening series between 2024 playoff teams.
Spencer Arrighetti (1-0) allowed just one hit, a first-inning double to Juan Soto, and one run with five strikeouts in six innings. Astros closer Josh Hader walked Soto to start the ninth before retiring the next three batters for his second save, completing the one-hitter.
The game was tied with two outs in the sixth when Alvarez knocked a double off the wall in center field to send Isaac Paredes home from first base, putting Houston on top 2-1.
Griffin Canning (0-1) gave up four hits and two runs over 5 2/3 innings in his Mets debut.
Canning had allowed just one hit on a leadoff single to Jose Altuve when Peña gave the Astros their first homer this season on his shot to the seats in left field with no outs in the fifth to make it 1-0.
Soto doubled with one out in the first and Brandon Nimmo walked with two outs. Arrighetti retired the next 13 batters before walking Jose Siri to start the sixth.
Siri stole second against his former team before advancing to third on a flyout by Francisco Lindor.
Soto then grounded out to Arrighetti and Siri dashed home, sliding in just before the tag to tie it at 1.
The Mets went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.
Key moment
The double by Alvarez that gave Houston the lead for good.
Key stat
Canning, who spent his first five seasons with the Angels, fell to 0-4 in 10 career starts against the Astros.
Up next
Both teams are off Sunday before Houston hosts the Giants for a three-game series beginning Monday night and the Mets play at Miami that night.