Lions, Tigers clash in regional final
MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas— Daingerfield has become accustomed to playing football the second week of December. For New Boston it would be unchartered waters.
Thus the reward—a berth in the state semifinals—from today's Region II-2A, Division I showdown at Sam Parker Field would certainly be nothing new for the Tigers but a first in school history for the Lions.
But the rivalry between these District 8 teams is hardly new. In fact, today's game—kickoff has been moved to 6 p.m. due to weather conditions—will be the third time in the last four years the Region II-2A title has been decided between the two. Obviously, Daingerfield won the first two, the first in 2010 and last year when Edwin Mims returned a punt 70 yards for the deciding score with 45 seconds left in the game.
The teams have played six times since the 2010 season with the Tigers winning five, the only New Boston victory coming last year, a 38-37 decision that gave the Lions the district title. Daingerfield's later regional win spoiled an unbeaten season for New Boston, which finished at 12-1.
That's the same record the Lions take into tonight's game with a win obviously setting a school record. Daingerfield is 10-3 overall, but the Tigers have won nine straight since losing to Gilmer in their final nonconference game.
Included in that streak was a 40-23 district win over New Boston, and Lions coach Jamey Thomas is hoping his team has put that loss behind them.
"We just didn't play very well in that game. We turned the ball over six times and gave them short fields. You can't do that against a good team like Daingerfield," Thomas said. "Defense is the bet part of their team. They are so fast that they're able to line up near the around real well and making big plays with their wide receivers lately. We feel we have a strong secondary, but we will be tested Friday. And you add their passing threat to their very potent run game, and it's obvious New Boston can be very tough."
In addition to the turnovers, the Lions allowed Daingerfield quarterbacks Keris Alexander and Malik Higgs to throw six touchdown passes in the previous meeting.
"We shut down their run and held their good running back (Cordarius Anderson) in check," Thomas said. "But they were able to throw over the top of us some. Hopefully, we will have more success against both the run and pass this time."
Anderson has run for 1,408 line of scrimmage and stuff the run. We have to block well—get on our blocks and stay on them. We have to utilize our speed and play a total game."
Despite the Tigers' earlier blowout victory, Daingerfield coach Aric Sardinea is wary of the Lions.
"Defensively, we want to make them one dimensional, which is no easy task," Sardinea said. "They've been throwing the ball
yards and 27 touchdowns this season, while Alexander has thrown for 1,176 yards and 14 TDs with only six interceptions. His favorite target is wideout Keaten Key, who has 50 receptions for 798 yards and 11 scores.
New Boston will be minus injured sophomore Davontae Wade, its second-leading rusher, but still has junior running back Quinn Dedmon (1,283 yards, 12 TDs) and senior Keith Baldwin (568, 5). Quarterback Aaron Conkleton has thrown for 976 yards and 17 touchdowns, the majority going to wideouts Juwaun Johnson (23447-7) and Jeff Gladney (19551-9).
Both teams have big-play defenses. Daingerfield has 42 takeaways this season, the Lions 38. Tiger end Kelshin Neal has 168 total tackles, including 56 for losses and 23 sacks. In the first game between the two, Neal had three sacks and two fumble recoveries. Tiger linebacker Calvin Bryant has 112 tackles.
New Boston's top defensive playmakers have been ends Dale Roberts and Phillip Pyle, linebackers Wes Teague and Johnson and Dedmon and Gladney in the secondary.
Thomas knows his defense can't concentrate on stopping the pass that beat the Lions in October.
"The last few games Daingerfield has run the ball more, including with the quarterback," he said. "But they still have the ability to throw the ball downfield. Our defense has played better lately, and I expect us to do a little better job this time around."
Sardinea likes the way his Tigers are playing now.
"We struggled a little against Farmersville, but I think the weather had something to do with that," he said. "We were more focused last week and simply made more plays. Our overall execution was as good as it's been."
He expects nothing less against New Boston.
"These teams know each other well, and we can't look at it any other way than we have to go out and play hard, minimize our mistakes and try to capitalize on theirs," Sardinea said. "I expect us to go out and do hat we do. We're not going to change who we are, and I'm sure the same can be said about Coach Thomas and his staff."
Daingerfield will serve as the home team tonight. The winner will face the Wall-Eastland winner next week, tentatively either in Waco or Allen.
Tonight's game will be broadcast on 94.1 FM.