STORY BY: BOB WRIGHT
Tough schedule, but the A&M Consolidated Tigers have a greater degree of confidence as they head into Week No. 4 for District 12-5A warfare this Friday night on the turf of the friendly confines of Tigerland Stadium at 7:30.
The confidence factor got a big boost at Kyle Field when the Tigers thumped the Bryan Vikings in their cross-town rivalry in a victory which proved to be much more decisive than predicted (49-21).
The new Tiger offense appears to have found its comfort zone, while the defense continues to make some key big plays. In the Tiger-Viking showdown, Consol quarterback Jacob Bronowski continues to improve in his ability to operate Coach David Raffield’s new offense, puncturing the Vike defense for three running touchdowns and throwing for two more TDs to Quinton White, who had successfully nursed an injury.
Consolidated has done a complete turnaround from a slow start (0-3) in the non-conference schedule to 3-0 when it counts the most in district contests. While the Tigers pulled their record to 3-3, the Vikings are 4-2 for the season and 2-1 in district games.
Coach Bob Bellard’s Bryan team still is a solid football club and should make waves in the league chase. The Vikings host Copperas Cove this Friday night at 7:30 at Merrill Green Stadium. The Cove, like Consol, is 3-0 in district competition, and boasts a 5-1 season mark.
Against Consol, junior Bryan running back Kevin Jefferson carried 23 times for 100 yards and caught two passes for 63 yards, including a 51-yard scoring pass from QB Chris Johnson. Zac Slaydon and Granger Dewitt sparked the Viking defensive linemen.
In that cross-town showdown, the Tigers got stellar play from defensive linemen J.J. Bynum, Fredrick Goodman and Jimmie Gilbert, while the secondary strutted its stuff with interceptions turned in by senior safeties Josue Ordonez and Brett Mahnke. Also throw into the star mix, the names of cornerbacks Adriel Grant and Demetrius Willingham (five tacks apiece), and linebackers Marshall Strain (a game-high 10 tackles) and Joe Waithaka.
Offensively, the Tigers, in addition to Bronowski, got outstanding play from receiver Durasis Nutall, who paced the Consol running game with 104 rushing yards with a touchdown, and caught a couple of passes. Among offensive linemen who paved the way for Consol’s passing game and a rushing output of 266 yards, were Wyatt Smith, Edison Caldwell, Dillon Smith and Cameron Cermin.
White caught five passes for 122 yards, including touchdown tosses of 31 and 35 yards.
This week’s Consol opponent, Killeen Shoemaker, has struggled with the 0-3 district record. The Grey Wolves are winless in six outings. Coached by Ken Gray, the Wolves are getting top play from running back Johnny Jefferson, quarterback Jammie Blunt and defensive tackle Jordan Salinas.