Defense, late field goal lift Stephenville past Everman

Sville Everman FEATURE — Stephenville celebrates a 10-7 victory over Everman Friday night at Tarleton's Memorial Stadium. || Photo by CHET MARTIN

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By BRAD KEITH
TheFlashToday.com

STEPHENVILLE (September 11, 2015) — Josh Nowell took over at quarterback and marched Stephenville (2-1) deep into Everman (2-1) territory before Jake Gillespie nailed a 24-yard field goal with 17 seconds remaining to lift Stephenville to a 10-7 win at Memorial Stadium Friday night.

Stephenville junior Jake Gillispie kicks the first field goal of his career, a game winner in a 10-7 victory over Everman. || Photo by CHET MARTIN

Nowell, a Division I recruit as a wide receiver, took over at quarterback because Easton Jones suffered an ankle injury at the end of a keeper that took Stephenville to the 50. Jones, a sophomore, will have an x-ray Saturday morning, according to head coach Greg Winder.

If Nowell was nervous or the least bit concerned about taking his first career snaps as a quarterback with a game on the line, he certainly didn’t show it. The senior ran eight yards to the Everman 42, and two plays later scrambled for nine yards to the 15 to convert on third-and-six. Two plays later he converted a second-and-eight with another nine-yard sprint, this one to the six.

But the headiest play by Nowell may be the one that doesn’t catch the eye on the stat sheet. Left with no options on third and goal from the three, Nowell, instead of risking a turnover or big loss of yards, simply ate the ball and took the sack for a four-yard loss.

Josh Nowell took over at quarterback and engineered a game-winning drive for Stephenville Friday. || Photo by CHET MARTIN

Everman took its final timeout and was left hoping for a miss that never came.

The first field goal in the career of Jake Gillespie went straight through the uprights from 24 yards out, and Stephenville grabbed its only lead of the night.

And the only lead the Yellow Jackets would need.

Against a prevent defense, Everman was able to gain big yardage but never get loose in space in the final seconds. Garrett Crew grabbed a receiver by the ankles and drug him down as time expired.

Everman scored on its opening possession, a grinding 10-play, 76-yard drive, but could get very little going offensively the rest of the night against a Stephenville defense that proved formidable in limiting standout Kierre Crosley to under 100 yards.

Stephenville answered with 3:50 remaining in the opening half. On fourth-and-one from the Everman 18, head coach Greg Winder surprised the Bulldog defense by calling a play fake. Jones executed it beautifully, faking the handoff to Matthew Chapman then rolling to his left before finding Malachi Taylor in the flat for an easy first down.

But Taylor wasn’t done. He raced past one defender and jukes two more inside the five, scoring to tie the game before halftime.

The teams traded punts throughout the second half until Everman had the first shot at a field goal for a late lead. The attempt missed wide left with less than four minutes remaining.

Everman also drove inside the 10 yard line early in the fourth quarter but was stuffed inches short running straight ahead on fourth-and-one.

Stephenville has a long trip to Lubbock Cooper next week. The Saturday matinee kicks off at 2 p.m.

Box Score

September 11, 2015 || Tarleton Memorial Stadium

Stephenville 10, Everman 7

Everman 7, 0, 0, 0 7

Stephenville 0, 7, 0, 3 10

Score Summary

1st Everman – Kierre Crossley 3 run (Fabian Cruz kick)

2nd Stephenville – Malachi Taylor 18 pass from Easton Jones (Jake Gillispie kick)

4th Stephenville – Jake Gillespie 24 FG

Everman Stephenville