By Gene Schallenberg
After earning a hard-fought victory, most coaches try to keep their players focused by telling them to enjoy the win, but to come ready to work the next day.
After the Bulldogs’ resounding district-opening win over Centerville, there was no need to remind them about their next task. Instead of leaving the field yelling, “Champions” as they have done all season — reminding all that New Waverly is the defending District 21-2A champions — the Bulldogs barked out the name of their upcoming opponent, “Corrigan.”
At this time last season, New Waverly had rolled to four straight wins to begin the season with victories over Teague, Hearne, Huntington and Centerville, but had yet to be given a stern test.
New Waverly was not only hoping to knock off the state-ranked Dogs, but gain a little respect at the same time, especially after being listed as double-digit underdogs going into the game.
After New Waverly scored the first points of the game in the first quarter, it was a stalemate for the rest of the half. But then both offenses started to click and exploded for big plays.
Corrigan-Camden running back JoCourtney Johnson hit the open field twice for a pair of 56-yard touchdown runs. New Waverly also had a big play when quarterback Rhett Bohannon hit Tyren Watts for a 47-yard touchdown.
With the score tied at 14, New Waverly took the lead with a little more than six minutes to play.
Corrigan-Camden attempted to tie the game in the final minutes. On a fourth-and-25 from the New Waverly 47, quarterback Chris Drayton heaved the ball down field to one of his four receivers, but defensive back X’Zavious Harrison swatted the ball down, ending Corrigan’s comeback bid.
Being a year older and more experienced, this season’s game could be even better. That’s one of the reasons why Dave Campbell’s Texas Football listed Corrigan-Camden at New Waverly as its Class 2A game Dream Tour.
The Bulldogs, from New Waverly and Corrigan-Camden, know what’s at stake when they clash on Friday. After opening district play last week with lopsided victories — New Waverly blasted Centerville 54-19 and Corrigan-Camden blew out Buffalo 30-0 — it appears that just like last season, the tilt between the Bulldogs may ultimately decide who will have the upper hand in the pursuit of the District 21-2A championship.
The teams and personnel may be different, but one thing hasn’t changed from last season. Both teams will have to play their best game of the season to come away unscathed and remain atop District 21-2A.
