Bryan vs. The Woodlands: Wrap-Up

STORY BY KEITH KANE

BRYAN—The Bryan Vikings stepped up their defensive game Friday night and came within a whisker of playing the spoiler against District 14-5A front-runner The Woodlands throwing a scare into the Highlanders in a 21 to 14 game on Senior Night at Merrill Green Stadium.

The Vikings defense turned the Highlanders away from the end zone three times in the first quarter before The Woodlands finally scored on a 1 yard run by quarterback Chris Andritsos on the first play of the second quarter.  Rhett Pruitt added the extra point for a 7 to 0 lead.

But, the Vikings struck back with 8:56 left in the half on a pick-six by Bryan’s Antwone Wallace as he intercepted an Andritsos pass and returned it 32 yards for the touchdown.  But, the extra point attempt was blocked leaving The Woodlands with a 7 to 6 lead.

The Highlanders would stretch their lead with 2:12 left in the half on a 6 yard run by Sterling Scott for a 14 to 6 advantage.

But, the Vikings used a 63 yard kick-off return by V-J Banks to get close enough to hit on a 31 yard pass from B-J Ross to his brother Darius Ross for a touchdown.  B-J then hit Bobby Johnson in the corner of the end zone for two-points to tie the game at the half, 14 to 14.

The Bryan defense would again turn The Woodlands away in the third quarter stopping the Highlanders at the four yard line.  But, a short punt gave the Highlanders a short field allowing them to score on a 23 yard run by Andritsos to gain a 21 to 14 lead that they would hold until the final gun sounded.

A visibly hobbled B-J Ross would complete 8 of 17 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.  But, the Highlanders defense would stifle the Bryan running game and would not allow the Vikings to get their offense untracked.

The Vikings are off this week and will play their final game of the season on Saturday, November 9th, at 2 pm against College Park at Woodforest Bank Stadium in the Woodlands.