Lions get payback in rivalry
2nd-half surge led by Gregory turns the tables on Wildcats
Yates yearned for this one. The Lions suffered their first setback to Wheatley in 42 years last season, and this year’s edition of Houston’s oldest high school football rivalry had the extra importance of being a district contest for the first time since 2005.
But Wheatley made Yates wait — through a first-half standoff anyway.
The Lions finally seized control with a long touchdown drive and Alan-Michael Youngblood’s picksix in the third quarter, propelling them to a 30-6 victory in District 11-4A Division I on Saturday night at Barnett Stadium.
“We wanted it bad,” Youngblood said. “And then our (offensive coordinator) from last year (Marshall Lawson) is on (Wheatley’s) team, too, so we wanted it really bad.” Turnovers prevalent
Yates moved to 4-2, 2-0 on the year and 35-3-1 in UIL play against Wheatley.
The Wildcats (3-3, 0-2) dropped their second straight game to start district, following a 42-21 loss to Washington.
“It was an important win for the kids,” first-year Yates coach Michael Watkins said. “They’re working real hard. These 18 seniors that we have want to bring the tradition and the pride back to Yates.
“We want to bring back a state championship, too. But more importantly, we want to make sure the school is moving in a positive direction, and it starts with the football program.”
Turnovers were the sto- ry of the first half, and with each team committing two, they entered halftime tied 6-6 Wheatley struck first. Defensive tackle Tommy Villalva grabbed quarterback Taj Gregory’s fumble and returned it 13 yards to Yates’ 28, and three plays later running back Darius Gardner punched it in from 8 yards out. But quarterback Jason Watson’s 2-point pass failed, leaving the Wildcats up 6-0.
The Lions’ first score came after Wheatley’s Terrence Stevens muffed a punt he tried to field on the run.
Linebacker Sherman Richardson scooped the ball and scored, but officials waved off the touchdown, so running back Reginald Bryant zipped around the right side two plays later for an 18-yard TD
The score remained 6-6 after Gregory’s 2-point pass failed. Defense steps up
The third quarter was a different story.
Yates opened with a 12play, 76-yard drive capped by Gregory’s 9-yard TD run. Then Youngblood jumped a Wheatley route, intercepted Watson in stride and streaked 10 yards into the end zone.
“We always say big players make big plays in big situations, and he did,” Watkins said. “He took it home to solidify the win.”
The Lions converted 2-point tries after both scores, giving them a 22-6 edge.
Wide receiver Jarmichael Cooper hauled in a 21-yard Gregory pass in the end zone for the final score in the fourth quarter.
Wheatley finished with only 86 total yards and four turnovers.
“Our defense is tremendous,” Watkins said. “Thomas Peace is our defensive coordinator, (and) I’m very fortunate to have this staff. They’re coming from different campuses within the district, so we’re really behind the eight ball on a lot of stuff, but we have a tremendous staff and the kids do a good job.”
Yates produced 189 total yards and 10 first downs.
Gregory completed seven of 21 passes for 127 yards and two TDs (one rushing).
“We wanted to play aggressive,” Youngblood said. “We played aggressively, and we contained them wherever they were.”