Those who have already written off the La Marque Cougars this season may want to rethink their predictions.
The Cougars traveled to Waller and blasted the Bulldogs in their new stadium, 19-0, in the week zero opener on Friday.
Sophomore quarterback Emanuell Williams had a monster game, throwing for three touchdowns. Michael Gilmore caught two of those touchdown passes, including a 97-yard strike in the second quarter.
Jordan Smith also had a 31-yard touchdown reception on Williams’ first pass of the ballgame.
Other standouts included L’Reco Williams at running back and Antonio Wright and Elijah Pleasant on defense.
The contest was revenge for the Cougars, who lost to Waller, 27-13, last season.
La Marque (1-0) takes on arch rival Ball High Friday at Etheredge Stadium.
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Dekaney 23, Clear Springs 17
Turnovers and the lack of field position spoiled the Chargers’ 2009 opener with the loss at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Down 7-0 in the second quarter, a 67-yard strike from Phillip Miller to Deche Milburn gave the Chargers their first touchdown of the night and a tie game after Josh Brieva’s point after kick.
Clear Springs was behind again with 6:45 left in the first half when Brieva nailed a 25-yard field goal to pull the Chargers within three going into the locker room.
Dekaney scored 10 answered points in the second half to take a 23-10 lead before Sam Richardson dashed for a 40-yard punt return for a touchdown that coach Clint Hartman called, “one of the most amazing things I’ve seen in my life.”
Still, the Chargers couldn’t overcome two fumbles and an interception earlier in the game to catch up.
Clear Springs (0-1) plays at Manvel on Thursday.
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Furr 20, Hitchcock 10
The Bulldogs trailed at halftime and didn’t play the second half due to lightning.
Hitchcock (0-1) had led 10-7 after Darius Dotson scored on a 7-yard touchdown and Zac Tanner kicked a 27-yard field goal.
Furr pulled away, scoring late in the first half and then tacked on another touchdown before the end of the half.
Hitchcock quarterback Morris Tuck finished 12-for-21 passing for 156 yards and an interception. Bryan Smith had a team-high 54 yards receiving, while Scotty Williams added another 28 yards through the air.
Dotson had 48 yards rushing and Steven Downing had an interception for the Bulldogs.
Hitchcock travels to Beaumont Kelly on Friday.
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O’Connell 30, Chester 14
Despite the game being called due to lightning with five minutes left, O’Connell senior Corey Lee rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Lee also had a two-point conversion and added 12 tackles on defense.
Drew Rios added a touchdown and James Jones had a pair of two-point conversions. Quarterback Ryan Ross also had 54 yards rushing for O’Connell (1-0).
