by Austin Coats, sports editor
In a double overtime battle, A&M Consolidated fell to the Fort Bend Elkins Knights. The Tigers looked superior at most points but were weak against the legs of Elkins’ quarterback in the second half of their final non-district game.
“It’s frustrating, but I also know that we have gotten steadily better for three weeks,” head coach David Raffield said.
After allowing the Knights to score on their first drive and two unsuccessful ones of their own, Consol stole the momentum. Daniel Zivney’s punt put the Knights on their own 3 yard-line. Two incomplete passes later, senior Bryce Florence penetrated the offensive line and disrupted the running back as junior Will Vaughn finished him for a safety.
Senior Derrick Dick returned the ensuing kickoff to the opponent’s 35 to start the next drive. Consol drove deeper into Elkins’ territory with help from junior Mason Hickson’s 18-yard Quarterback keeper. They took the lead at the start of the second half as Hickson flipped to junior Tyri Merchant for a touchdown.
Consol then allowed a touchdown from a solid drive from the Knights as they drove down the field methodically. The half ended with the Tigers on top 16-14 as the next drive ended with Dick’s touchdown reception in the corner of the end-zone. Fort Bend Elkins was forced to punt quickly and Consol wasted the remaining time to end the half.
The Tigers quickly stopped Elkins to start the half and gained great field position at their own 41 from the punt. A connection down the middle from Hickson to Dick for 33 yards put them in great position to score. They would capitalize as senior Armand Jones pushed the line into the end-zone for a 4-yard touchdown.
However, Consol’s lack of ability to stop QB Jonathan Giles was apparent in the second half.
“[Giles] was special,” Raffield said after the game. “I haven’t seen anybody like him in years.”
Giles ran rampant on the Tigers as the Knights converted a 32-yard field goal and then scored a touchdown one drive later. Because of the missed accompanying extra point, the game stayed tied at 23.
The two went back and forth, tying the game again at 30. After forcing Consol to punt, the Knights tried to take the final lead. Consol forced a 4th down with three seconds left, putting Elkins in a position where their field goal would decide between a win and overtime. The 39-yarder fell way too low though, and the Tigers lived to fight another quarter.
Elkins started the first quarter of overtime with a touchdown as Giles punched it in from 3 yards. Consol looked sunken on their drive as they took a 13-yard loss on third down. On fourth down Hickson released a pass headed straight for one of Elkins’ defensive backs, but with perfect timing Daniel Zivney stepped in front and took it into the end zone, sending the game into second overtime.
In second overtime, Elkins started with the ball again, and Giles took it in again. The Tigers failed to repeat as Hickson threw an interception to end the game.
After three tough tests all resulting in losses, the Tigers look forward to having more success in district play, which starts in two weeks.
“I feel great lining up and playing against this district,” Raffield said.
