Jackets get the win in final seconds against Everman, 62-61

Flash staff report
September 3, 2022

The Stephenville Yellow Jackets (2-0) were able to just barely get by the Everman Bulldogs (1-1) on Friday night, but they did so in dramatic fashion in the last 5 seconds of the game, winning 62-61.

With just 5 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Jackets were down 56-61. After a timeout, Stephenville’s #7 Ryder Lambert threw a 16-yard pass to #18 Topher Foster in the back of the endzone for the win.

For Lambert, it was the end of another good night. He was 16 of 24 passing for257 yards and four touchdowns in the game, but also threw three interceptions. The senior QB had a single carry for 11 yards.

Lambert’s main target of the night was sophomore #12 Tristian Gentry, who caught the ball seven times for a total of 124 yards and a touchdown. Foster, a senior, caught the ball four times for 54 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner.

But the star of the evening was arguably junior running back, #17 Tate Maruska, who carried the ball 49 times for 311 yards and five touchdowns, accounting for 30 points, but also three fumbles. He also caught the ball once for 26 yards, giving him a total of 337 yards. Maruska is also in the running for this week’s Mr. Texas Football (VOTE HERE) for his performance.

Leading the Stephenville defense were junior #42 Rowdy Markland who had five solo tackles and seven assists for a total of 12; junior #6 Camden McKinney who had two solo tackles, five assists and a sack on the Everman QB for a total of 7 tackles; senior #3 Kyler Eudy who had three solo tackles and three assists for a total of 6 and senior #31 Malachi Arredondo who had four solo tackles and two assists.

The Yellow Jackets will now welcome the Decatur Eagles (0-2) to Stephenville’s Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9, for the HJH/Project 22 game. The Eagles most recently were defeated by the Rider Raiders (2-0) from Wichita Falls, 30-24.