Timberview makes a statement with playoff win

By Bob Kowalski

Mansfield Record

Timberview made statements on the first drive of each half of itsClass 5A Division II bi-district football playoff game to defeat Dallas Kimball, 49-7, on Friday at Vernon Newsom Stadium.

On the opening drive of the first half, Timberview quarterback Simeon Evans completed a 60-yard pass to Cemarion Chambliss on the first play from scrimmage, moving the ball to Kimball’s 15-yard line. Three plays later, Deuce Jones scooted 10 yards for the score, and the Wolves (9-1) were up 6-0 with only 1 ½ minutes gone in the game.

Timberview built a 29-7 lead at halftime, then showcased its defense to start the second half. Kimball (7-3), determined to close to within two scores, started on its own 33-yard line but moved to Timberview’s 18 when quarterback Keith Hargraves found Cameron Nelson behind the defense for a 49-yard gain. The Wolves held firm there, though. On 4th-and-10, Hargraves hit Jermius Johnson on a screen pass, but the Wolves stopped Johnson at the 9-yard line, 1 yard short of a first down, with possession going to Timberview.

The Wolves drove 91 yards on the backs of Jones and Jarvis Reed, who combined for 88 yards on the drive. Jones’ 38-yard run, on which he burst through the line and hesitated to sidestep a tackle in the secondary, put the Wolves at the 7-yard line. Three plays later, Evans ran into the end zone to give the Wolves a comfortable 35-7 lead with 7 minutes left in the third quarter.

Jones rushed for 166 yards in the game and Reed added 100. Jones, Evans and Ricky Madison scored two TDs each, and Reed capped the scoring with a 32-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

The Wolves advance to the second round next weekend, when they’ll face Ennis, a 49-0 winner over Frisco Liberty on Friday night.

Kimbell took its only lead of the game 3 minutes after Timberview’s opening TD when Brandon Epton Jr. scored on a 6-yard sprint to put the Knights up 7-6. That came one play after Ishmeel Ibraheem made a fingertip catch of Hargraves’ pass for a 38-yard gain.

From there, Timberview kept control of the game with a steady running game and stubborn defense.

Also in the Mansfield ISD, Summit advances to the second round after a 49-28 win over Abilene Cooper on Friday. The Jaguars will meet Amarillo Tascosa in the second round.

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