Tigers roll into next round
WALLER — The final score of the last game of the season looks ugly, but Magnolia football f ans know the headline for the 2015 season will have nothing to do with that.
This year’s group of Bulldogs ended a five-year string of losing seasons and got the school to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Their latest playoff run ended Thursday after they surrendered six touchdowns in the first half en route to a 49-0 loss to A&M Consolidated at Waller ISD Stadium.
A&M Consolidated (93) advances to the regional semifinals of the Class 5A, Division II playoffs and will face the winner of Saturday’s game between Ridge Point and Crosby. That regional semifinal game will be played Nov. 28 at NRG Stadium.
Magnolia (10-2) played its second consecutive game without junior quarterback Jacob Frazier, who broke his hand in the regular-season finale. Sophomore wide receiver Reese Mason took over for last week’s victory Sharpstown and led a 42-0 victory.
Against a much more powerful opponent Thursday Mason and the offense were overmatched. The Bulldogs mustered 103 yards of total offense and six first downs.
“It’s extremely tough (to prepare without your starting quarterback),” Magnolia coach Sterling Doty said. “Consolidated has such a great program. The score reflected that they played a lot better than we did tonight. They dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides. They really set the tone with their lines.”
The whitewash began on the brilliantly efficent opening possession. A&M Consolidated went 64 yards in 10 plays using mostly short passes. Quarterback Mason Hickson scored on a 3-yard run.
The Tigers needed only two plays to score on their third possession. They punted one more time and then scored touchdowns on all four of their drives in the second quarter. Hickson had 252 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in the first half. Cade Williams had six re- ceptions for 131 yards and two TDs before halftime.
Magnolia’s offense struggled as much as its defense. The Bulldogs mustered three first downs and 52 yards in the first half. They went three-andout on six possessions and punted seven times. Mason was sacked six times in the first half.
The last game left much to be desired, but Doty said there are plenty of reasons for the Bulldogs to be happy with what they accomplished this season.
“It all hurts right now, but we’ll sit down and reflect on that,” Doty said. “We have a lot to build on and a lot of good guys back.”