WOS/Dayton Article

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http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17127785&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=544870&rfi=6

They are big and mean and come at you with everything they've got," said Dayton coach Jerry Stewart describing the perennial winners from the Golden Triangle as he embarks upon his eleventh season as head of the Broncos. "We watched them play Vidor and they went through them like they weren't even there. It was 28-0 halfway through the scrimmage."

The Broncos are coming off a couple of impressive scrimmages themselves spanking Richmond Foster two weeks ago and then last Thursday gaining the upper-hand on an upstart Montgomery team that left prematurely trailing 14-6.

West Orange-Stark returns seven offensive and seven defensive starters from last year's team that went 13-1 as Division I semi-finalists. Running back Earl Thomas (5-10,175) and quarterback Jacoby Franks (6-1,185) are a deadly tandem. Thomas rushed for over 800 yards last season and scored 15 touchdowns, including six as a receiver. Both were all-district selections.

The Broncos completed pre-season scrimmage work last week with visiting Montgomery. In a couple of different settings prior to playing a game-like quarter, the Broncos scored three times on the visitors.

Signal caller Andrew Thomas scored the opening touchdown on a quarterback sneak. In a special situation series, Thomas hooked up with A.J. Dugat on a 60-yards bomb that carried the ball down to the Montgomery four-yard line. From there Michael Dugat rumbled in for the second Bronco score. Backup quarterback Cody Green also got into the scoring act on a 50-yard keeper that featured some nifty moves and downfield sidestepping.

An altercation between Dayton players and members of the Bears coaching staff flared up with about five minutes remaining in the game-like portion of the scrimmage.

The Dayton coaching staff hurried across the field to put space between themselves and the parties involved. A minor shoving match ensued but order was quickly restored.

Benefiting from a large Bronco penalty, Montgomery managed to put six points on the board after moving some 20 yards.

On their next possession the fired-up Broncos moved 70 yards in 9 plays capped by a brilliant 34-yard pass play with about two minutes left in the quarter from Thomas to wide receiver Anthony Williams. David Howard's extra point kick gave Dayton a 7-6 edge.

The startled Bears opened play from their own 30 but QB Xavier Webb was forced out of the pocket by a swarming Bronco defense and fired an errant bullet into the waiting arms of Dayton linebacker Jacob Pickle, who behind a wall of blockers returned the ball to the Bears 10. Three plays later Thomas rifled into the end zone from five yards. Howard's extra point kick was true leaving the score at 14-6.

It was at the point that game officials informed Dayton that the scrimmage would be over at the end of the period. Coach Stewart maintained that he had previously informed Mont-gomery coaching staff of a two-quarter scrimmage schedule, but the argument fell on deaf ears. When the final seconds expired, Montgomery coaches and players left the field without the customary handshakes.

For the second week in a row, Stewart was elated with the play from the majority of his players. Defensively secondary member Andy Dewey (two tackles, three assists) along with Ford Smesny, Joe Carter and Anthony Williams were singled out for their performances. Also getting high fives from the coach were cornerback Chase Barne, LB John Gable (1 QB sack, 5 assists), Jacob Pickle, Jason Ritch and Fred Hynson.

The Bronco defensive front of Matt Passmore, Brent Kimmy (5 solos, 1 sack), Joe Thomas and DE Rakim Cleveland (80 percent grade-out) were also favorably mentioned by Stewart.

Stewart also noted the commendable coaching work turned in by Bronco assistant coaches Brandon Craus and Daryl Bell with the Dayton receivers. "They have done just an outstanding job with our receivers, who have been running good passing routes and doing a good job blocking," said Stewart

The Broncos and Mustangs kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday in one of the premiere contests throughout the state of Texas.

With Dayton playing their first regular season game on a newly installed artificial surface and under high-quality stadium lights, football fans are in for a superb night of high school football featuring two of the state's best coaches in the Broncos' Stewart and his WO-S counterpart, Dan Hooks. Between them, they have authored some 22 district championships.

"If we can keep from making costly mistakes, it should be a whale of a ballgame," said Stewart. "It has all the makings of a classic."

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SHould be a Classic as the Dayton Coach said.