Cougars scoot all over Vikings in 20-6A win

SUGAR LAND — Kempner continued churning out success with its triple-option offense, rushing for 425 yards against Dulles on Saturday night.

But it boasts a fourth option, too — wide receiver Jacob Landry. The senior secured four receptions for 134 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-21 victory at Mercer Stadium that strengthened the Cougars’ position in District 20-6A.

“The (defensive backs) just weren’t ready for the passing game, and we came out, we had a game plan and we put it to use,” Landry said. “It feels amazing because every catch I made added to the personal records I set.”

Kempner (6-2, 3-2) moved into a three-way tie for third in district with Bush (5-3, 3-2) and Hightower (4-4, 3-2). Kempner lost 27-20 to Bush and defeated Hightower 51-44 in overtime the last two weeks. The Hurricanes, with Travis and Ridge Point to go, have the toughest remaining slate. The Cougars close with Clements and Travis – and their destiny is in their hands.

After five runs to start the game, quarterback Alec Carr dropped back and found Landry all alone downfield for a 38-yard score. But Dulles blocked the extra point, then responded with a 13-play, 74yard drive capped by QB Luke Metzer’s 1-yard TD run for a 7-6 advantage.

Landry beat the Dulles defense again on the ensuing series, hauling in a 20yard scoring pass from Carr for a 14-7 lead.

A pair of anemic punts by Dulles helped Kempner tally two more TDs early in the second quarter on running back Billy Reagins Jr.’s 4-yard jaunt and Landry’s 33-yard grab for a 28-7 lead. The Cougars rolled from there. They racked up 285 total yards in the first half and scored on their first six possessions for a 41-14 halftime lead.

“We’ve done that before one other game, (when) we came out and scored on our first seven,” Kempner coach Darrin Andrus said. “People don’t see the tripleoption that much, and when you have a good fullback and a great quarterback who can run it, it works pretty well.”

Reagins ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 39 attempts. Carr completed four of five passes for 134 yards and four scores, including his 54-yard touchdown scramble — all in the first half — and the Cougars finished with 559 yards and 23 first downs.

Kempner’s defense had its say, too. Cornerback Jordan Oliver intercepted Metzer just before halftime, and then he snagged two more picks in the second half, giving him six on the season. Jeramy McKnight also supplied a takeaway as Dulles committed turnovers on four straight drives. The Cougars finished with five takeaways, including Jimmy Tang’s fumble recovery.

“They’re getting better and better every week,” Andrus said. “We did some different things in the secondary to try to confuse them a little bit, and Metzer’s a hell of a quarterback, so to stop him, and shut him down, was a big deal for us.”

Dulles RB Marquise Frank (22-193 rushing) finally broke free for a 41-yard TD run with 5:53 left in the game.

“We’ve got the upper hand on Hightower by beating them, so we need to come back and focus on Clements next week ,” Andrus said.