Longhorns capitalize on fast start to defeat Wildcats

Tomball Memorial overcame all obstacles it faced this season – from a pandemic to 11 previous opponents.

On Saturday, the Wildcats finally met a challenge they couldn’t corral – quarterback Kaidon Salter and the Cedar Hill Longhorns.

The upstart Wildcats, making their deepest playoff run in program history, went toe to toe with the three-time state champions most of the game before finally falling 38-21 in a Class 6A Division II Region II semifinal playoff game at Waco ISD Stadium.

Tomball Memorial, the District 15-6A champs, end the best season in program history at 11-1 while Cedar Hill will take on RockwallHeath for the Region II Championship next week.

Cedar Hill got off to a fast start, scoring on its first two possessions for a quick 14-0 lead. Salter raced 67 yards on the second play of the game. After Tomball Memorial turned the ball over on downs, Salter connected with Cedric Harden Jr. for a 17-yard score and it looked like the rout was on.

But the Wildcats refused to go quietly. Richard Rodriguez’s 6-yard touchdown cut the lead to 14-7.

Following another touchdown run by Salter, Tomball Memorial trimmed the lead to 21-14 at halftime when quarterback Colton Marwill scored from 10 yards out on a fourth-down carry.

The Wildcats had their chances in the second half. After Jaiden Calahan gave Cedar Hill a 28-14 lead with a 32-yard touchdown run, Tomball Memorial drove deep into Longhorn territory. Rodriguez then weaved his way16 yards toward the goal line, only to be hit hard and fumble out of the end zone for a touchback.

Down 35-14, the Wildcats mounted one last effort. Marwill found Chase Lovick on a 25-yard touchdown pass on the last play of the third quarter to make it a 35-21 deficit.

However, the Wildcats could not get a defensive stop. Salter proved to be elusive all game, converting multiple third down conversions as part of a 20 carry, 228-yard rushing night with three touchdowns. He also completed 10 of 16 passes for 159 yards and a score.

Tomball Memorial was led by Marwill, who connected on14 of 25 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns while Rodriguez finished with 158 yards on 24 carries.