Timberview, Summit win playoff openers

By Bob Kowalski

Mansfield Record

The attributes that led to Timberview's No. 5 state ranking were fully on display in the Wolves' 77-6 first-round playoff victory over Waco on Friday at Vernon Newsom Stadium.

Summit (6-5) also won its first-round playoff game, rallying to beat West Mesquite (8-3), 41-35 in overtime Friday at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. The Jaguars trailed 28-0 late in the first half, and led 35-28 late in the fourth quarter before West Mesquite tied the game.

Summit meets Richland (10-1), ranked No. 3 in the state, in a UIL Class 5A Division I second-round game at a time and site to be determined. Timberview (11-0) will face Texarkana Texas (8-3) in a Class 5A Division II second round, site also to be determined.

Timberview utilized its superior speed on both sides of the ball to stifle Waco (3-8), which gained its only first down of the game on its third play. The Wolves' defense consistently tackled Lions ballcarriers at the line of scrimmage or behind the line.

Defensive back Jarvis Smith was busy, tackling runners for loss or breaking up passes. Defensive mates Gregory Dorsey and Jason Sydnor also halted Waco's offense, stopping runs inside and sometimes meeting ballcarriers in the backfield immediately as they took the handoff.

Meanwhile, quarterback Steven Hall had plenty of options on offense. In the first quarter alone, he twice hit his favorite target, receiver Trysten Shaw, with long touchdown passes, of 28 and 46 yards to take a 14-0 lead into the second quarter.

In all, nine players scored for Timberview. Shaw added another TD reception in the second quarter, for 61 yards on a two-play drive with just under 2 minutes to play in the first half. The Wolves weren't done yet, though, as the defense again forced a three-and-out, giving Timberview the ball at Waco's 49-yard line with less than a minute to play before the break.

On the second play, Dayln Hill split the defense and caught a strike from Hall from 43 yards out for a 56-0 halftime lead. Other first-half touchdowns were scored by Jacoby Easter (a 22-yard run), Braylin Barnett (a 28-yard reception), Kesean Selman (a 15-yard reception) and J-Uan Harrison (a 6-yard run). Darien Torres kicked all eight extra points in the first half.

The second half was played with a running clock. Timberview got TDs from Elijah Hickman (a 12-yard run), Daunte Vaughn (a 36-yard run) and Damari Holmes (a 2-yard run). Jaxon Niki kicked all second-half extra points.

After Holmes' touchdown, Waco got its only score when Tristan Joiner took the kickoff 85 yards for a score. Summit blocked the extra-point attempt on the game's final play.