Rams capture battle of undefeated teams against Mustangs
For the majority of their District 24-5A showdown Friday at Delmar Stadium, Waltrip and Austin delivered a contest fit for two undefeated teams.
But the Rams controlled the second half, particularly down the stretch, to pull away 38-16.
Waltrip improved to 6-0, overall and in district play, running its winning streak against Austin (4-1) to seven games.
Including a September shutout of defending 245A champion Madison, the Rams might have passed their two biggest tests of the regular season.
“It just feels good to win another homecoming game,” Waltrip senior defensive lineman Tyrell Buard said. “Senior year, I gave it my all. We all played hard. We didn’t let the little things get to us. We just stayed mentally focused.”
The Rams broke open a 17-16 game at halftime with three scores in the final 14 minutes of the game. Kaleb Lastrape scored twice on the ground; Coley Barnes rushed for 102 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown, including a 49-uard run to set up his score.
Cameron Howe passed for 341 yards and two touchdowns; Samuel Lemond led all receivers with 220 yards on six catches and added a late sack.
Howe credited his line, backs and receivers with exceptional performances. The Rams created scoring opportunities, having three other drives fall short in Austin territory.
“The offensive line was very solid,” Howe said. “I give all my credit to them. I love all of them.”
The Mustangs showed their playmaking ability, including by elusive quarterback Malik Hornsby. They narrowly missed a couple of deep balls in the second half that might have altered the outcome.
As it was, Waltrip’s defense recorded a secondhalf shutout, continuing an impressive season.
“Defense; I have to go against them every day in practice,” Howe said. “I’m a competitor myself, so I’m going against what I believe is the best defense in our district. It makes me better and it makes them better, too.”
Two of the state’s top statistical defenses made their presence felt early. Austin nearly drove the length of the field on a ground-based, 13-play drive, but Jacob Reyes and Christian Cherry came up with a stop on fourth down at the 1-yard line.
That only set up the first points of the game, as Austin’s Miko Angulo rushed off the edge to record a safety.
Waltrip scored on its next three possessions, overcoming two Mustangs leads. A 12-play drive ended in a 22-yard field goal by Darlin Hernandez for a 3-2 advantage early in the second quarter.
Hornsby and Austin answered, with a skillful scramble by the Mustangs quarterback extending the drive on a 16-yard pass to Ty Wright. Hornsby took it in himself for a 6-yard touchdown and a 9-3 lead with 8:38 remaining in the half.
The Rams responded quickly, as Howe completed all five passes on the next drive including a 30yard strike to Orvis Fowler for a touchdown.
Waltrip needed only two plays to extend the lead after an Austin threeand-out. Lemond made a leaping catch, cut back to the middle and sprinted 71 yards for a 17-9 lead.
The Rams popped up the ensuing kickoff and it backfired. Prentis Beasley Jr. danced, picked up a block and went 52 yards for a TD.