Dublin charge comes too late against district champ Jarrell

dublin feature — Chuy Chacon follows his Dublin blockers during a 35-16 loss to Jarrell at Memorial Stadium Saturday. || TheFlashToday.com photo by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

By BRAD KEITH

Photos by RUSSELL HUFFMAN

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DUBLIN (October 31, 2015) — Tony Brown rushed for two scores and passed for two more then unbeaten Jarrell (9-0, 4-0) withstood a late charge by Dublin (4-5, 2-2), defeating the Lions 35-16 to treat itself to at least a share of the 10-3A Division II district title on Halloween Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

The Lions, who have already secured a playoff spot themselves, scored the final 16 points, but not until Brown and company built a 35-0 lead by the midway point of the third quarter.

Brown took an option keeper 76 yards to the house on the opening snap and Jarrell was off and running. By halftime he also had a 31 yard scoring pass on 4th and 1, and directed a 99-yard touchdown drive that included two fourth down conversions and a personal foul on Dublin.

Jarrell also scored on its first play of the second half, when Brown delivered a 67-yard TD pass moments after Dublin began the third quarter with a three and out. Brown made it 35-0 with a six-yard keeper to end the second Jarrell drive of the half.

Dublin responded valiantly, beginning with a 1-yard Chuy Chacon touchdown plunge in the final minute of the third.

Brady Moore and Billy Mercer hooked up from 24 yards out early in the fourth, then Moore hit Bryson Fowler with a two-point pass to offset a missed PAT on the previous touchdown.

The Dublin defense closed the scoring with a safety, but Jarrell still held a three-score three with 1:53 remaining.

Jarrell wins the district title outright with a win next week over fifth-place Rogers. The Cougars have also earned the district’s top playoff seed.

Dublin could still finish as high as a tie for second in 10-3A Division II. The Lions, who finished second last season, are more likely to finish third with a win over Clifton or fourth with a loss to the Cubs. Dublin visits Clifton at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

The Lions had chances to keep it closer in the first half. Manny Ramirez had a step on the defense but the pass missed long on fourth down in the final minutes of the second. There was also an interception that stopped the momentum gained from a recovered fumble and a first down on a run by Manny Ramirez.

Jarrell fumbled four times in the first half, but Dublin could recover only one. In return Brown dropped a possible interception that hit him in the hands when he appeared to have a clear sideline ahead.