The typical storm that had followed the Mavericks was not present at Second Baptist on Friday Night, it was finally football weather. Unfortounately for the Eagles of Second Baptist led by Texas bound Connor Wood, the St. Johns Mavericks brought there own storm with them. The punishing style of play by the Mavericks was seen by the Eagles in film and set the tone early and often for the Mavericks.
The St. Johns Mavericks Offense took the field and took three running plays to no avail, forcing a St. Johns punt. On the 4 and 1 St. Johns executed a perfect fake punt but was brought back do to a holding call on a receiver. St. Johns was forced to punt away the football to the dangerous Second Baptist attack. The Eagles could not get anything going as senior defensive back Reed Daniel played perfect defense on one pass attempt, and Junior do it all man Caldwell Flores came up with a sack. The St. Johns offense took the field again, led by senior captains and running backs Jett Williams and Rush Moody. The Maverick quarterback junior Josh Winslow, played to his normal self conducting a fearsome Maverick attack. The constant pounding all night by the intelligent offensive line led by senior John Nutter, juniors William Carver, John Baker, Jack Griffin, and Billy Rogers, and sophomore tight end Dan Tweardy, paved the way for the Maverick backs all night long. St. Johns offense had a hic-up and were forced into a long third down attempt that resulted in a sack for the Eagle defense. Connor Wood lead his attack back onto the field but after two first downs was stopped on a fourth down play by another senior secondary captain John Ytterberg. The ever so powerful offenses that both teams displayed seemed stalled by the powerful defenses after one quarter of play.
The Maverick offense took the field and almost connected on a huge pass play to tight end Dan Tweardy, but Josh Winslow’s pass under duress fell just out of his reaching arms. The Maverick offense again was forced to punt. But the Maverick defense was up to the challenge of facing this passing attack. Lead by linebackers, William Payne, Walker Hobby, Stephan Firestone, and the man in the middle Jack Waller, the St. Johns defense came to play instilling fear in the Eagle receivers on every opportunity granted to them. Forcing an Eagle punt that landed at the St. Johns 8 yard line, where the Maverick offense couldn’t seem to get anything going after picking up two huge first downs getting them out of their end zone. Jack Waller was forced to punt again for the Mavericks and gave the Eagles decent field position to begin there next possession. Chris Gow brought the pressure this time for the Mavericks punishing receivers over the middle and Caldwell Flores speed forced an intentional grounding call to force another Eagle punt.
Jett Williams long bursts for 19 and 28 yards pushed the Mavericks down field close to field goal range for St. Johns. As time wound down in the score less first half Jack Griffin trotted out for a long 44 yard attempt. The kick fell short and St. Johns headed into the locker room tied with the powerful Eagle attack. The first half was a defensive struggle for both teams, as no team could seem to find the end zone. St. Johns offense had some dazzle but nothing that it was used to like we had seen against Concordia.
The Eagles were fortunate enough to get the ball to begin the second half and Jack Craddock forced a hurry on the first play and the Maverick defense held strong. On the punt attempt, the deep snapper put the ball over the punters head and down to the four yard line where he landed on it, giving the Mavericks a first and goal from the 4. On the very next play Senior Captain Jett Williams found the promise land and started the nights scoring. The extra point by Griffin was missed and St. Johns led 6 to nothing. The Maverick defense was ready again stopping the Eagle attack for a 3 and out. Yet this time the Eagle punter pinned the Mavericks deep again at the 3 yard line. Jett Williams and Josh Winslow the Maverick offense back onto the field. After a 23 yard powerful run by Jett Williams, and a 10 yard run by Josh Winslow, the sure handed Rush Moody coughed up the football something he rarely did last year and gave the Eagles great field position. Connor Wood took advantage of it with his powerful arm and chunked a 49 yard touchdown bomb to a receiver, the extra point gave the Eagles a 7-6 lead.
On the ensuing kick, Jett took after his name and jetted down the sideline for a 69 yard kickoff return giving the Mavericks great field position to work with. After runs by Winslow and Williams the fourth and one attempt, Coach Gleaves went back to the work horse in Rush Moody who picked up 7 yards for the Maverick first down. Rush Moody then led the way for Williams on his second touchdown run of the night. On the two point conversion it was Williams again putting it in to give the Mavericks a 14-7 led. The Maverick defense held Wood again to a three and out forcing a punt, where a gunner for the Eagles ran into Flores as he was trying to catch the punt giving the Mavericks superb field position. The Mavericks unable to get anything going were forced to punt were Jack Waller was ready to pin the Eagles deep in their own territory at the 12 yard line.
But with the bad field position the Eagle offense began to take form, the running game mixed with the passing game was moving through the Maverick defense. As the fourth quarter began, the Eagles were driving down the Mavericks throats, hitting 5 of his next seven passes Wood had found his grove, unfortunately for him, Reed Daniel was having none of it, and intercepted Woods pass on the 2 yard line, giving St. Johns there first interception of the year. The Maverick offense again could not get anything going and were forced to punt. Second Baptist took the field and Wood wanted to make up for his interception finding his receivers and moving down the field and hooking up for a 14 yard touchdown pass. It did not take long for St. Johns to score again, on the ensuing kick off Caldwell Flores returned it 34 yards to start the Mavericks on their march. Josh Winslow then found Dan Tweardy streaking down the sideline for a 44 yard completion to set the Maverick offense up back inside the redzone. Winslow wanting to find the endzone for the first time this year, scampered away from defenders for a 16 yard touchdown run putting the Mavericks back on top 21-14. St. Johns looked good, and were determined to upset this Second Baptist team.
When Second Baptist took the field, Connor Wood started his attack gaining a first down followed by a holding penalty. When the Eagles were forced into a third and 20, Caldwell Flores shone again, sacking Wood, forcing a fumble, where senior line backer Samuel Dunn came up with a huge fumble recovery giving the Mavericks the football with 1:57 remaining. After runs and timeouts the Mavericks were faced with a difficult 4 and 1 decision, Coach Gleaves trusted his offense to make the one yard. The refs spotted the ball just short of the first down marker, not exactly where Winslow fell, but it gave the Eagles the football with 48 seconds to play. Connor Wood took the field ready to lead a comeback, but Reed Daniel, who had played stellar defense all night came up with some huge defensive play on the final play of the game. St. Johns wound up with a stunning 21-14 victory over the Eagles of Second Baptist. Jett Williams played like a true senior, leaving it all out on the field even while suffering from cramps on the hot night. Williams accumulated 184 all purpose yards, combined with Winslow’s 90 on the ground and 58 through the air, the St. Johns attack seemed unstoppable against a difficult opponent. St. Johns controlled the ball game thanks to the great support shown by the Maverick faithful. Whether it was alumni of the football programs, Lawson Gow, Ben Tweardy, and Tim Root, current students led by prefect Stuart Dickerson, parents of the Maverick football team, or acquaintances of Coach Cumbo, the Maverick fans were there and made a huge difference in the outcome, tormenting the Eagles through out the night by showing support for you St. Johns Mavericks. St. Johns will be donning their new Home Uniforms on Friday night as the Mavericks will face a running attack in Houston Christian. This game will be great as it is parents night, and we look forward to seeing which star will come forth this parents as in years past. Thanks to everyone who helped support the Mavericks, lets bring some pots and pans to our next home game at 7 on the beautiful Skip Lee Field. Go Red, Go Black, Maverick Football, We’re BACK!!!
written by Cordes Symmes
