Jackets trounce Wills Point

Posted 9/9/21

Mineola’s 42-11 deconstruction of the Wills Pont Tigers last Friday was yet another checkpoint on the way to district play.

Fundamentally, the challenge brought forth by Wills Point was not …

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Jackets trounce Wills Point

Posted

Mineola’s 42-11 deconstruction of the Wills Pont Tigers last Friday was yet another checkpoint on the way to district play.

Fundamentally, the challenge brought forth by Wills Point was not about recognizing offensive formations or alternating coverage in the secondary. It was the most basic of tests. If a team communicates that they will line up with 11 players on the line and run the ball, the challenge is: do you have the strength and stamina to stop it?

Mineola answered that challenge in an overwhelming fashion. The Yellowjacket defense dominated the Tigers, holding the team to 28 first-half yards and 38 second-half yards. 

Of the 11 Wills Point possessions, the Jackets forced five punts, two turnovers on downs, one defensive touchdown and one fumble. They surrendered a field goal.

The manner in which they played defense was the truly illustrative takeaway from the Jacket’s game. Despite establishing dominance, they continued to play hard-nosed and disciplined defense throughout the game. Often, in such situations, a team will either relax defensively or abandon their defensive schemes and become overaggressive. To their credit, the Jackets just played Yellowjacket defense the whole night. 

Meanwhile, the Jacket offense was rolling up 317 yards from scrimmage. 

Dawson Pendergrass has begun what could be a record-breaking year. The junior has become stronger, faster and quicker in the past year, and he is exploiting tacklers. 

In addition to taking most of the snaps in the shotgun last Friday, Pendergrass figured in all of Mineola’s offensive scoring.  A 47-yard ramble in the opening possession, a 69-yard cutback scoring run, a 20-yard scoring strike to Brady Shrum, an 18-yard scoring run, and direction of the final Yellowjacket score of the night. Additionally, it was Pendergrass’ athleticism which fielded an errant punt snap, evaded a safety, and got a punt away under pressure.  

When combined with his amazing performance from the season opener against Canton, it is clear that Pendergrass has a unique combination of physical talent and football acumen. He could carry the Jackets a long way. 

Mineola is not, however, a one-horse team. Both Calem Redding and Cason Davis ran with great abandon and effectiveness. Christian Martinez was six for six on extra point attempts. Coy Anderson and Nate Griffin led the Jackets defense, with Griffin scoring on a 25-yard scoop and score. Julian Ramos made his presence felt all night from his defensive end position. JaMarcus Kennedy used his speed to great effectiveness covering kicks. 

So the question was answered. The Jackets could respond to a physical challenge and had the stamina to maintain that level of play throughout the game. There were, as can be expected so early in the season, a ton of missteps to attend to. 

Chief among those areas of concern are the number of penalties committed, the exchanges at the snap, and the special teams consistency.

There will surely be different challenges waiting for the Jackets when they travel to face the West Rusk Raiders Friday. The Raiders will give the Jackets the best possible tune-up prior to Mineola beginning district play at home Sept. 24 against Winnsboro.