Memorial comes up short of upset of Converse Judson
Vipers rush for 413 yards, but fall to Rockets
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Memorial's Roderick Warren runs up field as Converse Judson's Zach Tuinel tries to track him down in the second quarter. Warren finished with 213 yards rushing and two touchdowns in Memorial's 46-36 District 27-5A loss to the Rockets on Friday.
Converse Judson 46, Memorial 36
Converse Judson head coach Jim Rackley walked off Memorial Stadium's field wishing he could take Memorial's O.J. Hughes and Roderick Warren back to Converse on the bus with his team.
"Their option with Hughes and No. 21, I'll tell you what, we would love to have them on our team," said Rackley, after his Rockets escaped with a 46-36 District 27-5A win over the Vipers on Friday. "They did a great job, not only on the option outside, but what they did to us on the inside was tremendous. We haven't seen two runners on the same team like that all year."
In all, Hughes and Warren (No. 21) combined for 432 yards on 50 carries in the 10-point Memorial loss. Hughes, running the offense at quarterback, led the Vipers with 219 yards while Warren ran for 213 yards on 24 carries from his running back position.
"I was just running as hard as I could," Warren said. "You can't run soft against Judson because they are a real good team."
Hughes scored three touchdowns and Warren two for the Vipers who trailed 28-16 at halftime. Hughes scored on runs of 8 and 1 yards in the first half and then the Vipers final touchdown of the game on a 6-yard run. The last touchdown made it a 43-36 game before a Donato San Filippo field goal for Judson created the final score.
"Our offensive line came off the ball hard and hit people in the mouth every time," said Hughes, who has now rushed for 1,231 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. "We did that from the beginning of the game and set our offensive tone. We had a battle out there and I'm proud of that."
Memorial (4-5, 3-3) is now faced with a must-win game at San Antonio East Central on Friday in order to make the playoffs for the second straight season. East Central (3-6, 3-3) took a 59-7 loss to Converse Wagner on Friday. Judson (7-2, 6-0) can wrap up its second consecutive District 27-5A championship with a win next Friday.
"I think we proved that we can play with the big boys, now we just have to prove that we can beat the big boys," Memorial head coach Mickey Finley said. "We had too many bad snaps and some kicking-game blunders that we have to get corrected, but I'm proud of how our guys fought against Judson."
Warren, a junior who started the season as a wide receiver, has now scored 10 rushing touchdowns this season after running for two against Judson's defense. Despite a career day against the district-leading Rockets, Warren wasn't satisfied just staying close.
"We still could have played way better and I think we could have won the game," said Warren, who scored on runs of 12 and 4-yards in the second half. "I made some bad plays, and I know that. That's on me but we're going to work hard this week and go out there against East Central and do everything we can to make the playoffs."
Hughes was also productive in the passing game, going 4-for-7 for 43 yards. His biggest pass play was a 20-yard first-down completion to Jared Dolezal on a fourth down, but it was the running of Warren that had the senior smiling after the game.
"Two-one is great," said Hughes of Warren. "He's great. He's been working hard all year doing a lot of work to get better and it shows. The way he hits a hole and gets to the second level is amazing. If he keeps doing what he's been doing we're going to be all right."
Notes
Rocket roundup: Arturo Reyes and Quaylon Jones led the Rockets' rushing attack, while senior quarterback Cody Boswell threw for 117 yards and a touchdown in the Rockets' win. Jones, a sophomore, ran for 82 yards on only seven carries, while Reyes scored two touchdowns and ran for 84 yards. Boswell found six receivers in the game including Jordan Montgomery for a 15-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Gabriel Hillard scored two touchdowns for Judson, a 98-yard kickoff return and a 9-yard touchdown run.
Memorial's receivers: Fullback Travis Edwards led the Vipers with two catches, Dolezal in yards with his 20-yard reception and tight end Austin Bivins caught an 11-yard pass in the fourth quarter to set up Hughes' last touchdown of the game.
Putting it on the ground: Memorial's biggest problem of the game came with fumbles. The Vipers didn't have any turnovers in the game, but did have six fumbles. Errant snaps to the quarterback and punter along with one Warren fumble on a run pushed Memorial back in crucial situations.
Comments
Viperfan,
Not getting blown out by Wagner and Judson is a good indication progress is being made despite the district record being the same.
Don't forget, Vipers were outscored by about 80 points in those two games last year.
November 3, 2009 at 6:02 p.m.I've never been impressed with a loss.If the games lost had been won,then I would have been impressed.The players possess the talent.To end up with the same record as last year with pretty much the same players says a lot.Some of the coaches need to get their loops checked.
November 1, 2009 at 9:43 a.m.I was very dissapointed at the beginning of the season and down on the coaching staff. I think Ash Wade said it best a week ago, "The Vipers finally learned how to win". I am impressed with a 10 point loss to Judson. I really thought it would be worse. It goes to show that Victoria has the players that can win and be competitive with the best programs in the state. I hope this winning attitude continues next year at both schools. Go Vipers and give it your all next week. 48 MINUTES TO PLAY, A LIFETIME TO REMEMBER.
October 31, 2009 at 11:12 p.m.Job well done this I believe was the game of the season.it was great to see how the community filled the seat to support our viper boys.coach said in his article of ramirez how dependable he was and last night he had a great game. His performace was on last night. The tackle of the season is a good way to put it. His speed also is good to see. He also is the ball holder and did good on a bad snap. Edwards and turner also did very well.keep the fire and heart going. Go vipers playoff hear we come.
October 31, 2009 at 8:18 p.m.I've had good and bad coaches in sports, and yes,it would be nice if they motivated and even inspired you as a player,but if that is not the case.Remember that no coach is bigger than the game and especially how you feel about the game.Stay focused on your objective whether your in the game or not and be ready when your opportunity presents itself.Contribute and enjoy the pleasure the game provides in victory. Best of luck and thanks for all the excitement viper players.
October 31, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.Vipers should be 6-0 in district.
They should have beat Carroll, Wagner and Judson.
Exciting game last night, one of the most exciting games I have seen in a long time.
Next week should be a good one.
October 31, 2009 at 11:57 a.m.This makes me laugh. Judson fans thought they were going to run all over the Vipers! We lost, but good job Vipers in shutting up those Judson supporters! They were expecting to win by 3-4 TDs!
October 31, 2009 at 9:48 a.m.Great job Vipers! That was a tough game and I doubt Judson is used to having their defense exploited like we did all night.
Despite the Loss, that was a very exciting game and every Viper fan got their money's worth last night.
#2 Ramirez, that was the hit of the season, late in the game. That kind of opportunity might show up once in a lifetime and you delivered.
Play like that and East central cannot beat us.
October 31, 2009 at 6:47 a.m.Keep your heads up boys, next week we'll get a WIN!!!
hard fought game tonight by the vipers !
i really enjoyed the game tonight. good luck next week !
October 31, 2009 at 3:42 a.m.