TEXAS HIGH
LAST WEEK: Texas High survived early explosion by Marshall and rallied past the Mavericks in Marshall, 36-18.
THIS WEEK: The Tigers are open.
OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS: Senior RB Markese Martin had career-best 113 yards and 2 TDs; Quan Hampton caught 4 passes for 50 yards and a TD; Tevailance Hunt had 3 receptions for 66 yards and a TD; and Devuntay Walker rushed for 55 yards and a TD in second half.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS: Hampton saw considerable time on defense and came away with 2 interceptions; Xzavier Hopkins had 8 unassisted tackles, 9 total. Davon Williams also had 9 tackles. Deidrick Reeves followed with 7 tackles and Darrell Webster 6.
COACH BARRY NORTON’S COMMENTS: “I don’t think we came out and played well real early. I don’t have a reason why. I think the kids settled in and figured out if they’d take care of business we’d be OK. There wasn’t a panic, and I was proud of that. Xzavier Hopkins and Davon Williams have consistently been our leading tacklers on defense and they should be, they’re an inside linebackers. They’re able to run a bit more free because the guys on the line are eating up the blocks. We’ve got to continue to get better and be a better tackling football team. We’ve got to get more guys to the ball.
“The comeback was more about us and not them. We were giving up too much yardage on first down. When we started getting them in third and long it gave us a chance.. Hampton’s interception at the end of the first half changed the game tremendously in my eyes. When he picked that ball off we did a good job of going down and getting some points. After making the two-point conversion I felt we were back in control. Having this week off is good and comes at a great time. We’re in really good shape where we are. We’re pretty healthy. It gives us a chance to take a break in the middle of the season, gives us a chance to get over some bumps and bruises, and a chance to fix some things that are broken.
“I talked to Marshall coach Clint Harper Sunday and the young man hurt (Eddie Silas) is fine. He said he was sore, but OK.”