It
looked like it was all in place, ready for the taking.
Clear
Lake had rallied in the third period to take a 21-14 lead over Alvin
heading into the fourth quarter of Saturday's District 24-5A football
opener for both teams. The Falcons had played a good game, offensively and
defensively.
Falcon
quarterback Michael Fritz (17-31-0 for 230 yards) was in good form, trying
to keep Alvin's defense off balance with different looks.
But
never mind that Clear Lake's total offensive output was greater than
Alvin's---331-272. It all came down to the running of a different
Michael---Michael White. The Jacket running back ran for four touchdowns,
the last one with 39 seconds left in the game to lift the Jackets to a
27-21 win.
The
loss dropped the Falcons to 3-3 for the season and 0-1 in district. Alvin
is 6-0 and 1-0.
In
gaining the win, the Jackets kept Lake off the scoreboard in the final
quarter while coming up with two touchdowns in the final 4:26 of the game.
White came through with some punishing runs as Alvin made some crucial
third downs and one fourth down conversion, which basically decided the
game.
"They
made the plays when they needed them," said Clear Lake coach Troy Aduddell.
But the
Falcons' play gave Aduddell a positive outlook for the rest of the season.
"Overall, you can't fault the kids or anyone. The kids played well and if
we had stopped (a third down or a fourth down play) we could have won the
game," he said.
"They're a good team and White is a great back. We held their offense
below their average. We just need to get better at stopping those third
down plays."
It's a
short week for Lake, as the Falcons take on Brazoswood in Clute on
Thursday.
The
Bucs kept up with undefeated Clear Creek in the first half before
eventually being overpowered 34-5. Brazoswood is 1-4 and 0-1.
Clear
Lake will have to contain the Bucs' David Prince, who is averaging 4.6
yards per carry. The speedy runner has 422 yards this season, fourth best
in 24-5A.
While
the Falcons have the top passer in district in Michael Fritz (1011 yards),
the Bucs' J. D. Ritchey has thrown for 456 yards.
"They
have a balanced attack which will keep our kids on their toes," Aduddell
said.
Prince
will be a different type of back for Lake's defense to bring down. While
Alvin's White was a punishing runner, Prince can move through and around a
defense with his speed.
In the
Lake-Alvin contest White's touchdowns all came on short runs (3, 2, 1, 1)
his total rushing yardage was 204 on 35 carries. He leads that category in
24-5A with 1118 yards while Alvin is tops in team offense, averaging
nearly 418 yards per game.
But
Alvin's passing, compared to Fritz' stats, were anything but overwhelming
as Noah Corrasco was 4-for-13 for 65 yards.
But it
was White who brought them the victory, as Lake's defense could not
completely contain him in the fourth period.
Alvin
led 14-10 at the half but Clear Lake tacked on 11 unanswered points in the
third period to gain that 21-14 advantage.
Falcon
kicker Tommy Duff had field goals of 25, 34 and 29 yards, and also had one
kick hit the post and bounce off late in the first half.
Clear
Lake's ground game was led by Chris Sportt, who had 52 of Lake's 101
rushing yards.
The
game was crucial for both teams as Alvin was trying to gain more respect
and at the same time assert itself as a challenger for the district title.
Clear Lake wanted to get a quick start from the blocks in its hopes for a
playoff spot as Creek, Alvin, Galveston Ball and Lake appear to be the
four teams vying for three post-season spots.
