Klein Oak vs. Klein Collins

Freshman Black

October 16, 2008

Panthers Taunted by Tigers

By a KO Freshman Mom

Thursday was the first crisp cool evening for the Klein Oak Freshman Black team, as they took to the green of Klein Collins Field. A cool breeze came from the north as the Panthers were represented at the coin toss by #33-Adam Villegas, #54-Dwayne Paul, and #70-Justin Weldon. The Klein Oak Panthers would kick off facing the north end of the field. The cool evening and fierce competition would make the game one of the roughest of the season.

FIRST QUARTER

The starting kick-off team consisted of #3-Deion Hill, #4- Khalil Maknojia, #6-Palmer Currie, #18-Kwana Kuffour, #20-Alton Hilliard, #23-Bradley Koreneck, #24-Chris Haywood, #32-Brodrick Lacy, #35-Tuff McClain, #46-Cougar Babin, and #68-Geo Reyes.  #18-Kwana Kuffour had a beautiful kick from the Panthers 40 that came down near the Tigers 13. Unfortunately, the play ran back for a touchdown with a successful field goal attempt. Score: KO 0 – KC 7. With a quick exchange, bringing in #14-Luis Urrea and #7-James Dorris, the special teams readied for their first possession. Klein Collins ineptly kicked out of bounds and received a penalty and had to re-kick. The ball was received near the 7-yard line, by #30-Andrew Bailey, who ran it back for nearly 30 yards. The starting offensive line included #10-Nick Baratti, #15-Dashone Smith, #30-Andrew Bailey, #35-Tuff McClain, #38-Eddie Fatu, #50-John Dice, #52-Ryan Spradley, #72-Jeremy Jones, #77-Richard Carpenter, and #82-Dustin Parman. The Panthers drive lasted for five plays which carried them to the Tiger 15-yard line. A couple of hand-offs to #15-Dashone Smith and #38-Eddie Fatu, an option, a penalty, and a rush, led to a turnover on downs and returned the ball the Klein Collins. KC Tigers held onto the ball for a little over two and a half minutes and barely made it 25-yards. Again Oak had possession, near the Panther 47, when Quarterback Nick Baratti had an amazing run that took the team to the Tigers 23-yard line. It was after that great run that Baratti starting feeling pressure in the pocket. The Tigers were blitzing, seven on five, and the offensive line was finding it hard to be in two places at one time. After a couple of incomplete passes the Panthers turned the ball over the Tigers. Their possession didn’t last long. The play after a good tackle by #86-Daniel Shaul, was a Tiger fumble that was recovered by #46-Cougar Babin. Offensive line took the field, and in an improved effort to protect the quarterback, tried to give Baratti time. Two incomplete passes ended the quarter and the teams switched sides, Panther possession, and a 0-7 score.

SECOND QUARTER

Klein Oak made two more attempts to move down field and were stopped at the Tigers 33-yard line. It didn’t take the Tigers long to again run for a touchdown and another extra point, bringing the score to 0 – 14. The remainder of the quarter was full of fourth down turnovers with neither team successfully scoring. There were several hard hitting tackles by #20-Alton Hilliard, #24- Chris Haywood, #38-Eddie Fatu, #46-Cougar Babin, #63-Jay Andrews, #82-Dustin Parman, and #86-Daniel Shaul. A nearly missed interception by #3-Deion Hill brought the Klein Oak to its feet in anticipation of a rally near the end of the half. The crowds’ anticipation was negated as the ball slipped through the fingers of its would-be kidnapper.

HALF TIME

The Half Time Show was minimal from the Klein Collins host school. Their cheerleaders were boisterous and clear and did make a spirited effort to rally our troops at the beginning of the third quarter.

THIRD QUARTER

With the second half commencing, the Panthers returned to the field with a renewed sense of competition. The first play of the second half was a direct snap to #15-Dashone Smith, who ran from the Panthers 33-yard line right up the Tigers end zone and brought the score to 6-14.  The Panthers first attempt at the two point conversion attempt was flagged. The second attempt failed when #20-Alton Hilliard was brought down a few steps from the goal. The next Klein Collins drive ended in a touchdown with the extra point. Their attempts to running were thwarted by individual hard hitting tackles by #38-Eddie Fatu with an assist by #20-Alton Hilliard, #46-Cougar Babin, and #68-Geo Reyes. The entire defensive line clawed there way through the turf to prevent what they could. Klein Oak’s next possession was turned over due to a fumble. Klein Collins again scored a touchdown and a successful two point conversion. The end of quarter score was 6-29.

FOURTH QUARTER

The last eight minutes of clock play tested the spirit of the Panthers, especially when Quarterback Nick Baratti-#10 was injured and out for the remainder seven minutes. To make matters worse, that play also gave control back the Tigers. During the next five minutes of play, there were numerous tackles made by the defense. Pad crushing, helmet smashing sounds began to emanate from the green as Panthers #4-Khalil Maknojia, #11-Austin Ondreij, #32-Broderick Lacy, #35-Tuff McClain, #46- Cougar Babin, #48-Jeffery Toth, #68-Geo Reyes, and #73-Salgado Antoino defended the end zone from their opponents. Attempts to fend off the invaders were too much for our zoned defense and Klein Collins scored again, bringing the score to 6-36. Klein Oak Panthers took the final possession with just under two minutes left in the game. The fight was valiant and courageous. No person on that field gave up the chance to play like a champion. In the end, one minute and fifty-seven seconds was not enough for the Panthers to rally their team into a frenzied Panther Pride.

WRAP UP

The cooler temperatures and the visitor disadvantage were factors in this hard loss for the Klein Oak Panther Black. Offensively add ineffective offensive blocking, shallow incomplete passes and the artsy spin of several receivers it’s not a surprise that securing first downs and keeping possession of the ball was so difficult. There were a couple good fakes and few unacceptable penalties. Defensively there was good tackling, near interceptions, good recoveries, and nice pocket pressure. But there were also several unacceptable penalties.

Hopefully the coaches will have had a chance to review the players and positions and find a stronger cohesive line for both offense and defense. Then after a week of practices I am sure that Freshman Black will return with a taste for victory as they take on Spring High School at Klein Oak Stadium. Kick off is at 6:30 pm, October 23, 2008. Be there and bring your noise makers!