Dublin holds off Hico in defensive slugfest

Jackets can't stop Venice (Fla.)

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Dublin earned its second straight win over longtime rival Hico by mere inches Friday night. || TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

By BRAD KEITH

TheFlashToday.com NEWS & SPORTS – FREE & LOCAL

DUBLIN (August 28, 2015) — Hico missed an extra point kick by mere inches with 16 seconds remaining and Dublin held on, 13-12, for a second straight victory over its longtime rival Friday night.

Hico pulled within one on a leaping catch by Hunter Mullins, who maintained control of the ball while dragging not just one but both feet in bounds along the Tiger sideline in the Dublin end zone with 16 seconds remaining.

But the extra point fell literally a couple inches short of the cross bar, and Dublin recovered the onside kick before taking one kneel down to run out the clock.

In a world where offenses seem to rule, defense was the story all night at Memorial Stadium.


TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFAN
TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

 

Dublin made three four-down stands before allowing the late touchdown pass to Mullins from Blake Hyles. The Lions even opened the scoring on defense, with senior linebacker Dalton Zinck returning a fumble 30 yards for a score midway through the first quarter.

The biggest offensive play for Dublin was a 45-yard pitch and catch from Brady Moore to Trask Brown for a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Lions looked to be going for the throat moments later, but a defensive play gave Hico life.

And who else would make it, but Hyles.


TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN
TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN
TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN
TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

The senior linebacker, playing in his first game since suffering an ACL tear in the first quarter of the 2014 season opener against Dublin, stepped in front of a pass, picking it off and returning it 50 yards deep into Dublin territory.

Hico broke through moments later, when Brody Johnson cashed in the takeaway with a six-yard TD, and Dublin led 13-6 at the break.

Dublin travels to Albany next week while Hico entertains Crawford.

Dublin head coach Bob Cervetto after the hard-fought win.

 

Hico head coach Keith Wood after the tough loss.

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(August 28, 2015) — Stephenville welcomed Venice, a Florida high school power twice the size of SHS, to Tarleton Memorial Stadium Friday night.

The Yellow Jackets probably won’t be inviting them back.

The Greg Winder head coaching era in Stephenville began with a 37-8 set back to Venice, which led 37-0 before the end of the third quarter.


Photo courtesy NATHAN BURAL
Photo courtesy NATHAN BURAL

 

The menacing Venice defense intercepted three passes and paved the way for the Indians to even their record at 1-1 after opening a week earlier in Florida.

The Yellow Jackets’ only score came in the fourth quarter, a 62-yard pass from Easton Jones to Malachi Taylor.

It was the first season-opening loss in three seasons for Stephenville, which hosts Gatesville next week.

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