Some games are just destined to be offensive showcases and in Lindale’s game against the Palestine Wildcats this past Friday, both teams raced up and down the field almost at will until the Eagles were able to prevail, 57-49.
The win cemented a playoff spot for the Eagles, which could wind up being a second or third place seed depending on what happens in the next two weeks.
Lindale has to take care of business Friday against Jacksonville and watch the Kilgore-Chapel Hill scoreboard the following Friday which will also be Lindale’s bye week.
If Kilgore defeats Chapel Hill by more than eight points, the Eagles will be District 9-4A’s second seed by virtue of their upset three weeks ago over Chapel Hill.
But in order for all this to mean anything, Head Coach Chris Cochran’s crew had to work its way through a determined band of Wildcats this past Friday, who offered a different offensive look compared to the past couple of years.
Palestine had been using Wing-T offense, which the Eagles worked on during the week, but on Friday, another offensive scheme was unveiled.
“We just didn’t handle it well,’’ Cochran said. “And by that I mean the coaching staff and the players.’’
The Wildcats spread the field on offense, causing some confusion on the part of the Eagles. Which meant it was a good night for the offense to shine.
Lindale running back Caleb Hart leaps over would be tacklers from Palestine this past Friday in the Eagles’ win over the Wildcats. (Photo by Terry Cannon)
Quarterback Clint Thurman, with four rushing touchdowns and four passing touchdowns was again the big gun on offense, but he had considerable help from running back Caleb Hart and lanky wide receiver Chad Ward.
“(Ward) had his game of games last Friday,’’ the coach said. “And Clint was really good, obviously, since he had a hand in all eight touchdowns.’’
Ward had six receptions for 156 yards and four scores while Hart rushed 13 times for 88 yards.
Thurman, meanwhile, was nine of 11 through the air for 176 yards. He rushed 32 times for 240 yards.
Thurman began the Lindale scoring with an eight-yard scoring run with 8:12 left in the first period. After the Wildcats trimmed that to 7-6, Thurman found Ward with a 29-yard score. The Eagles’ defense then trapped the Palestine quarterback in the endzone for a safety at it was 16-6 after the first period.
Both team marched up and down the field in the second period and with :30 seconds left in the half, Thurman and Ward hooked up again, this time on a play covering 67 yards to give the Eagles a 36-27 lead at intermission.
All of this production wouldn’t have happened with the offensive line doing considerable damage.
“I was very proud of our O-Line,’’ said Cochran. “They’ve gotten better and better each week.’’
Against the Wildcats, Cameron Griffin and Jack Kirk had 13 knockdowns apiece and Casey Poe contributed 12. Christian Pettway had 11 and Trey Rozell had nine.
This Friday, winless Jacksonville comes to Eagle Stadium minus starting quarterback Brady McCown, who broke his wrist two weeks ago.