Chargers hand Lions first loss of year
MONTGOMERY — Lake Creek’s homecoming was officially spoiled by a team used to doing that this year.
Fulshear came into Montgomery ISD Stadium and handed the Lions their first loss of the season, 42-15, to begin District 10-5A Division II.
“Our kids played freaking hard,” Fulshear coach Nick Codutti said. “This is the third homecoming we’ve been in. We’ve been very successful, and I’m proud of these kids. The biggest thing for these kids is learning to be successful and believing in each other. They are playing for each other and it’s fun to watch.”
Lake Creek (4-1, 0-1) came into the night 4-0 for the first time in the program’s brief history and off a thrilling win late in the fourth quarter last week over Morton Ranch.
“During the week, I guess we didn’t coach well enough,” Lake Creek coach Pat Kennedy said. “That’s what I’m going to go with. There were little things we didn’t do so we must not be emphasizing it enough.”
The Chargers (4-1, 1-0) used a big second quarter to pull out to a 29-8 halftime lead.
The Chargers scored three touchdowns and converted a two-point attempt.
Tyjae Williams, who scored twice last week in a win over Fort Bend Christian, scored on a 20yarder to go up 16-8 at the 7:48 mark of the second quarter.
Seth Smith then added a 3-yard rushing score which was set up by a fumble recovery by teammate Jacob Hoffart, who rushed it down inside the Lions 5-yard line before being tripped up.
Fulshear quarterback Parker Williams connected with Jax Medica for the second time in the half with just five seconds remaining until halftime on a 13-yard score.
“The kids executed in the second quarter and that was the difference,” Codutti said.
The Chargers led 8-0 in the first quarter when Medica caught and sprinted home a 52-yard score from Parker.
After an exchanging of punts ate up most of the first quarter clock, Lake Creek backup quarterback Sawyer Matchett, in a starting role after Cade Tessier’s injury late in last week’s win, found Kendrayus Edwards for a 37-yard touchdown reception with nine ticks remaining in the first quarter. Matchett then punched home the two-point conversion to tie the game.
“That’s a struggle,” Kennedy said of dealing with injuries. “But we tell the kids no excuses. Next man up and the next man up has to make places. We did at times. But at times we panic and don’t make plays. We just have to keep scratching.”
Fulshear blocked a punt off of Lake Creek’s second drive of the third quarter and recovered it at the 9.
The Chargers then scored two plays later from 4 yards out as Tyjae Williams ran in his second of the night.
With Parker Smith in at quarterback in the second half, the Lions scored for the first time since the first quarter on the ensuing drive. Justin Freeney punched home a 3-yard score to make it 35-15 Chargers.
Just 50 seconds into the fourth quarter, Fulshear added to its lead as Parker Williams sprinted home a 33-yard TD.
“We really just wanted to hold the ball, last as long as we could and keep the defense off the field,” Codutti said. “Our philosophy is pound the rock, get our defense off the field.
Cade Carter added a late interception to help the Chargers cause on defense.
Parker Williams threw for 186 yards and ran for 59. Tyjae Williams had 70 yards on the ground and Medica had five receptions for 102 yards.
Lake Creek is 2-2 all-time against Fulshear. Kennedy didn’t take anything away from the Chargers, but reiterated that they need to prepare better.
“They whipped us in all three phases,” Kennedy said. “But tonight is on the coaches and the kids not being ready. That’s on coaches.”
Fulshear hosts Montgomery at 7 p.m. Thursday. Lake Creek travels to Bryan Rudder at 7:30 p.m. Friday from Merrill Green Stadium.