McCallum’s Varsity Rolls Past Reagan

Last Thursday night at Nelson Field, the Knights did battle with the Reagan Raiders. This was not only a district game to some folks but a battle of bragging rights to some of the McCallum players and families. This has turned into another rivalry between the two Austin teams much like the McCallum / Anderson Taco Shack Bowl.

McCallum jumped out to an early lead after Reagan received the opening kickoff and on their first offensive play fumbled the ball. 

The Knights recovered the fumble and made quick work, scoring the first points on a 13-yard pass from Trey Henderson to Karl Stewart. Paul Tearson added the extra point, which turned out to be the first of many for him that night. McCallum’s lead was 7-0 over the Raiders. Reagan was held to three downs and out by a stingy MAC defense, but a roughing the kicker penalty on the Knights gave the Raiders another try at kicking the ball deeper into Knight territory. On their next possession, the Knights marched down the field, highlighted by a 25-yard pass play to Chris Bowser, followed by Trey Henderson scoring on a 1-yard QB sneak. The point after was good, bringing the score up to 14-0 Knights.

Reagan’s next possession carried over into the 2nd quarter but again the Knight defense held forcing the Raiders to punt. McCallum’s offense hiccupped when they threw an interception, but on Reagan’s ensuing possession the Reagan offense returned the favor and turned the ball over to McCallum when Steven Hilscher intercepted a Raider pass. Unfortunately, Hilscher’s run back for a touchdown was called back. Reagan was able to capitalize on the MAC mistake and scored what turned out to be their only score for the evening. Reagan cut into the Knight lead, bringing the score to 14-7 Knights. It didn’t take long for the Knights to return the favor with Trey Henderson providing a touchdown on a 35-yard run. Again, Tearson was right on with the point after, making the score Knights 21, Reagan 7. McCallum didn’t let up and recovered the kickoff, then taking the ball into the end zone on a 16-yard pass to Michael Miranda. Again the point after was good which brought the halftime score to 28-7 McCallum.

The second half started with McCallum receiving the kickoff. McCallum’s offense showed it was in control of the game against the Raider defense when they had a 5-minute sustained opening drive capped off with

Henderson scoring on a 20 yard run. Again, Tearson added to his point total with another point after. The scoreboard shone Knights 35, Raiders 7. It was about halfway through the 3rd period when the Knights started substituting with their reserves. Even with the reserves in, the onslaught didn’t let up. McCallum’s #20 Marcus Mann scored on a 15-yard run, and with Tearson’s point after, the score was now to 42-7 McCallum.

The reserves continued to gain playing experience into the 4th quarter, and there was still no let up against the Raiders. Daniel McElrath, who had taken over the offensive reigns from Henderson, scored on a 1-yard sneak for the touchdown. Adding yet another PAT by Tearson, which brought the score to 49-7. Reagan’s offense was rejected once again by the Knights when Michael Finklestein intercepted a Raider pass. The Knights closed out the scoring for the night when Marcus Mann scored his second TD of the night on a 21 yard run, and another seven points was added to the score. The Knights just had to keep Reagan from scoring and run out the clock in the 4th quarter to bring the final score to read Knights 56, Raiders 7.

McCallum’s next game is LBJ, next Friday night at 7:30pm at House Park.

The game ball should be shared with Paul Tearson and his leg, which received a hard workout during the game. Another game ball should be awarded to the Knight Defense for holding the Raider speed in check all night long.   

 

McCallum’s Junior Varsity Rumbles Through the Raiders

The McCallum JV strolled into the Reagan Raiders own backyard Friday evening at the Nelson Baseball Field with the hopes of continuing their quest for the District title.

McCallum took the opening kickoff and didn’t look back. McCallum’s opening drive marched down the field and scored on a 10-yard pass from Kevin Lusson to Jonathan Fisher. Sam Richter added an extra point to bring the score to Knights 7, Raiders 0. Both teams traded possessions to finish out the 1st quarter.

The Knights’ first possession in the second quarter resulted in Van Franks running for another touchdown. This time the point after missed and the scoreboard read 13-0, in favor of the Knights. McCallum continued their domination of the game when Jarrod Houston ran for another touchdown, and Richter added the point after, now bringing the score to 20-0. MAC’s defense harassed the Raider offense for the rest of the first half holding them to a four and out, and then intercepting a Raider pass. McCallum cushioned their lead to 27-0 when Lusson threw a 35-yard TD pass to Michael Martinez and converted the point after. Towards the end of the second quarter a good heads up play was made by offensive lineman Wilson Henderson, when he picked up a Lusson fumble and almost rumbled for a first down. The first half ended with the Knights leading 27-0.

The second half had McCallum substituting heavily, letting the reserves get some needed playing time. McCallum’s defense was still standing firm, highlighted by an interception by Rene Trevino with a good runback all the way to the Reagan 3-yard line. McCallum solidified the victory shortly after when Jarrod Houston scored his second touchdown of the evening. The point after was no good, which brought the score to Knights 33, Raiders 0.

McCallum protected the score during the fourth quarter after exchanging some turnovers with the Raiders. The Knights ran out the clock and secured the win, with the final score of 33-0 Knights.

Hats off this week go to both the Offensive and Defensive lines, who controlled the line of scrimmage, as well as to the play from the defensive backfield for shutting down the Raider passing game. This includes Rene Trevino, Jeremy Winley, and Lamar Bowman.