KFDM COOP Posted December 21, 2008 Report Posted December 21, 2008 District losses toughened Wildcats By Nick Cioci The Baytown Sun Published December 21, 2008 SAN ANTONIO —Sulphur Springs head coach Greg Owens said he didn’t care that his team gave up 49 points in Saturday’s game. “I just wanted to get the win,†he said, after the Wildcats 69-49 win over Dayton in the highest scoring state championship game ever in Texas. “I didn’t care if it was by one point or whatever. The way offenses are now makes them tough to stop.†Tyrik Rollison, Ryan Young and Jace Jackson led the Wildcats, third-place finishers in District 13-4A, who finished their dream season at 14-2. The Wildcats’ two losses this year came to Longview 32-13, winner of District 13-4A, Oct. 3 and Texas High 59-25, the second-place team in that district, the following week. “I felt those losses helped us a lot in getting this far,†Owens said. “They humbled us and got us hungry again. We had just come off a win over Wichita Falls Rider on ESPN and then got an easy non-district win. “Then we got whipped a little against Longview and Texas High and I feel that helped us pull together as a team.†Jackson had nine catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns while Young had 28 carries for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Rollison, who they call Ty-Reek the Freak, finished the game going 23 of 30 for 397 yards and four touchdowns with no picks. He also ran the ball 18 times for 131 yards and three more touchdowns. “It’s real big,†Rollison said, referring to the Wildcats’ victory. “This is phenomenal. There is nothing better I could wish for. “I just never imagined that I could have that big a game. But we were looking forward to the state championship game and we accomplished our goal. “It’s really still unreal right now.†For the game, the Wildcats had 36 first downs on 49 rushes for 361 yards and 31 passes for 417 yards for a total of 80 plays for 778 yards. “I never thought about the score,†Owens said. “We just did a great job by keeping the pressure on them and battling.†Owens, a Sulphur Spring native in just his third year as Wildcats head coach, led his school to its first state championship. “We went 2-8 my first year, then 9-2 last year and undefeated in district play and then we win state this year,†Owens said. “It’s just been an incredible turn-around. “Getting to come back home to Sulphur Springs only makes it even sweeter.â€
soonermajick Posted December 21, 2008 Report Posted December 21, 2008 gotta gree with Greg on that...who cares how many points you give up, as long as you get the "W".
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