Southlake Carroll Defeats Skyline To Advance to Championship Game
As expected, the Division I 5A semi-final game between undefeated Southlake Carroll (14-0) and undefeated Skyline (14-0) was a thriller. Both defenses lived up to their reputations of being fast and athletic. Both offenses spent much of the game trying to figure out how to score, once they got into the red zone. The sad thing about two great teams playing a game of this caliber is that someone has to lose. In this case the swing from apparent winner to devastated loser took place in less than two minutes and twenty-six seconds.
The defenses of both teams controlled the first quarter. Aside from one eleven play drive by Southlake, both teams struggled to get their offenses on track. The first quarter ended scoreless.
In the second quarter, Skyline struck first after a 40-yard run by RB David Greene. With 7:31 remaining in the second, Skyline was leading 7-0. Southlake responded with a 25-yard run of their own by RB A. J. Ezzard, which setup a 1-yard run by Southlake QB Kenny Hill to tie the game. At halftime the score was Southlake 7 and Skyline 7.
In the third quarter, the large and athletic offensive line of Skyline began to take control of the line of scrimmage. On their first possession of the third quarter, Skyline used 3 minutes and 36 seconds to march 71 yards to score off of a 1-yard run by David Greene. With 8:24 remaining in the third, Skyline was leading 14 -7. Southlake tied the game with 3:55 remaining in the third off of a 21-yard run by A. J. Ezzard. As the third quarter drew to a close, Skyline QB Devante Kincade broke loose for a 35-yard TD run. At the end of the third, Skyline was leading 21 to 14.
With 8:58 remaining in the fourth, SLC punter Sam Downey pinned Skyline on their own 1-yard line. As a championship team will sometimes do when their backs are against the wall, Skyline, starting from their own 1-yard line, mounted a 14 play drive that used up 6 minutes and 32 seconds. However, they had to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Skyline kicker Juan Ramos. With 2:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, Skyline had a ten point lead (24 -21). This is when the celebration began on the Skyline side and many of the Southlake fans headed for the exits with an eye on next season. Everyone in the stadium, except the Southlake players and coaches thought the game and their season was over. And then, Southlake quarterback (Kenny Hill) went to work. Southlake started their next possession on their own 33-yard line. After an eleven play drive that took 1 minute and 19 seconds off the clock, Hill rushed for 3-yards to score and bring Southlake to within 3 points. With 1:07 remaining in the game the score is Skyline 24 and Southlake 21.
Everyone in the stadium new that Southlake’s only chance was an on-side kick. Carroll receiver Ray Crockett (who is also a basketball player) out jumped the Skyline players and recovered the ball on the 50-yard line. The Skyline fans and players were stunned, they couldn’t believe the game was slipping away. Even though Skyline has a great defense the Southlake offense would not be denied, it only took three plays and 61 seconds for Southake to score off of a 35-yard run by QB Kenny Hill. Southlake took their first lead of the game (28 – 24) with :46 remaining in the game. Skyline was out of time and out of time outs. The final score was Southlake 28 and Skyline 24.
Next Saturday, Southlake will play Fort Bend Hightower for the Division I 5A state championship. The game will be played at Cowboys Stadium at 4 PM.
