sticky Posted September 8, 2006 Report Posted September 8, 2006 Tanner, Davis lead the way in win By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published September 8, 2006 PASADENA — With the bar having been raised on the Sterling football program there was plenty to be excited about, and enough to be disappointed about in their opener against South Houston Thursday night. The Rangers turned the ball over four times compared to two for the Trojans and struggled on third down defense and in areas of special teams. That being said, Sterling also had a chance to display their big-time threats and exhibited dominating defense at times as they defeated South Houston 30-14. Jason Tanner was 11-21 for 192 yards and one touchdown through the air and he ran for 68 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Manasah Davis was a threat on the ground and in the air, rushing for 53 yards, catching three passes for 70 yards and returning a kickoff for 88 yards and a score in the win. “It was the first ball game and we saw things that we wanted so see,†RSS head coach Herb Minyard said. “But we have to get off of the field on third down. I know we did not meet our goals in that area. “Offensively we caught and threw the ball well, not that I am satisified. But I would rather see an ugly win than a loss.†Sterling came out in the first half and looked more like their counterparts across town than they did the Rangers that fans have been used to seeing. RSS put the ball in the air 20 times and only rushed it five. The Rangers did pile up 238 yards, surpassing last year’s average in only one half. For the game Sterling accumulated 327 yards of total offense. Sterling came out playing aggressively on the defensive end, throwing South Houston for three straight losses on the initial drive of the game. Jairus Prout sacked Trojan quarterback Morlon Washington for a three-yard loss on the first play of the game and nailed running back Jessie Raglin for a 4-yard loss on the second play of the game. A pass netting negative three yards forced South Houston to punt. The Sterling offense put it into high gear right off the bat by driving the ball inside the 20. But a fumble by Tanner gave the ball over to South Houston. A fumble minutes later by Davis on a punt gave the Trojans the ball at the 19-yard line but a fumbled snap allowed Sterling to dodge a bullet and the offense went to work and found paydirt four plays later. The drive began with two incomplete passes but a swing pass from Tanner to Davis netted 44 yards down to the Trojan 23. On the next play Tanner tucked the ball and found space down the right sideline for a touchdown. The extra point by Brett Marshall made the score 7-0. Midway through the second quarter, Sterling added another touchdown when Tanner found Kodi Maxey (5 receptions for 83 yards) in the flat. A great block by Terrell Zeno gave Maxey the space he needed to rush down the field from 44 yards out to make it a 13-0 score that stood after a missed extra point. The South Houston offense finally got untracked allowing, the Trojans to score as the home team drove the ball 75 yards down the field. Sterling appeared to have the drive stopped after a sack but an unnecessary roughness penalty gave South Houston new life, which they cashed in moments later on an 8-yard pass from Keegan Savell to Chris Loveless over the middle. The extra point made the score 13-7. Sterling came back on the field and promptly gave the ball back to the Trojans as three straight incomplete passes by Jerrod Doucet took virtually no time off of the clock. But the defense held giving the Rangers the ball back and they took advantage by driving the length of the field to set up a 27-yard field goal by Marshall as time expired. The Rangers took the ball to open the second half and scored in less than two minutes with all four plays coming on the ground. Davis opened the drive with a 53-yard gain on an option. After Tanner gained two yards, Justin Armstead carried twice for 17 yards and a score. After South Houston scored to close the gap to 23-14, Davis took the ensuing kickoff and ran it back 88 yards to close out the scoring in the game. D’Andre Thompson did add an interception, the first of the year for Sterling. “We are going to continue to improve,†Minyard said. “The end result is this is the first part of the season of a three-part season. We have to continue to improve if we are going to reach the third part of the season which is the playoffs.†The Sterling defense held South Houston to 260 yards of total offense with 21 coming on the ground. The Rangers had one punt blocked and struggled all night in the punt return department.
Guest Yard Bird Posted September 8, 2006 Report Posted September 8, 2006 Coach Minyard will have the Rangers going in the right direction. Great job Coach.
Guest Jody Posted September 8, 2006 Report Posted September 8, 2006 Coach Minyard will have the Rangers going in the right direction. Great job Coach. Who is in Sterling's district? How do you see the new school affecting the Baytown and surrounding districts?
KFDM COOP Posted September 8, 2006 Report Posted September 8, 2006 Sterling is in District 21 5A with West Brook, PTA Memorial, Lee, Kingwood, Channelview, Atascocita, and Humble.
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