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Updated Monday, November 07, 2011 5:43 PM
Game Recap — Denison at Mount Pleasant
Getting a victory to an end a season is always nice. In most cases it would mean a championship. But for those who were unable to make the playoffs, ending with a win provides a brief respite from a year that didn’t go as many would have hoped.
In Denison’s case, that means a district-ending victory over Mount Pleasant provided a nice two-game win streak to end the careers of the senior class and perhaps give some positive momentum for the 10 returning starters and the potential replacements for the other 11 openings.
But all that will be figured out in the coming off-season, including what should be a brand-new district and a new-look schedule. And for the final time in 2011, I leave you with the following game recap:
It was over when — Hayden Chapman sacked Cullen Grubbs and the ensuing fumble was recovered by Adrian Evans at the Mount Pleasant 35-yard line with 4:42 remaining in the game. Denison held a seven-point and just two first downs would essentially end the game.
It was really over when — Chapman gave Denison a 14-point lead (and the final on the scoreboard) with 1:25 left in the fourth quarter. It was the sixth run on the sixth play of the drive, aided by a personal foul penalty as well, and essentially clinched the victory.
Player of the Game — Clifton Hines was on his way to rewriting the Denison record books but had to settle just for a career-best effort. The junior quarterback completed 16-of-22 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. The 254 yards surpassed his previous high of 189 from last season and was the fourth-best by a Denison QB with only Jordan Taylor and Craig Blanton throwing for more. Hines was 45 yards from owning the mark. He did have three turnovers (two interceptions) but also ran for 93 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. (Honorable mention to Mount Pleasant’s Kaderius Cannon, who had five catches for 180 yards and three touchdowns, with the TDs covering 27, 63 and 78 yards.)
Play of the Game — Denison stops Mount Pleasant on fourth down deep in Jacket territory. The Tigers had scored on the previous two possessions to turn a 34-21 deficit into a one-point lead before Denison answered to go up 42-35. Now it was Mount Pleasant’s turn to respond. The Tigers started at their 20, got first downs on a personal foul and then a 36-yard pass to have 1st-and-10 at the Denison 15. A sack lost five yards and then Grubbs threw two incompletions. With just over nine minutes left in the game, Mount Pleasant went for it on fourth-and-15 at the Denison 20. The go-to guy in Cannon was who they went to but the pass only gained 11 yards. The Jackets took over at their nine and Mount Pleasant never had a better chance to tie.
The good — Denison’s offense had the most points in two seasons and had a season-high in yardage with 476. It was diverse with a bunch of Jackets contributing to the effort and had touchdowns in every quarter. It was also nice to see the offensive line go out with that performance as all five graduate. Hayden Chapman in short yardage situations came up big almost every time. He scored near the goal line all three times and also picked up a first down on fourth and short in the first quarter and again moved the chains on third and short on Denison’s go-ahead scoring drive, plus had the two-point conversion run. Quamie Bush announced his presence with authority the last two weeks. He finished this game with 107 yards and a touchdown on four catches and came up a yard shy of another score. While the defense gave up a ton of yards, they did force five turnovers and all were pretty crucial. R.J. Polk had an impact on special teams when he recovered a late squib kick that Mount Pleasant couldn’t fall on.
The bad — The Jacket pass defense has been above average to great this season. It finished with a thud as Mount Pleasant gained 375 yards through the air (in the previous nine games the Jackets had allowed 1,094 yards) and three of the four passing TDs covered at least 63 yards. There was nothing fancy as they were just chucked deep. Denison had three turnovers and while they didn’t lead to a loss, they were another issue. The Jackets finished with 30 for the season (17 fumbles, 13 interceptions). Denison was snookered on a fake punt again. I knew it was coming. I think everyone knew it was coming. And yet needing eight yards Andrew Flanagan got 14 to keep the drive alive. Dalton Hestand has been very good in the kicking department but did miss an extra point and a field goal — both of which could have come back to haunt the Jackets.
District dish — In addition to Denison’s victory over Mount Pleasant, Sherman blanked Greenville, 41-0, and Sulphur Springs defeated Royse City, 53-13. That means we have a three-way tie for the 13-4A title between Sherman, Sulphur Springs and Texas High. Royse City claimed fourth place, Denison was fifth and followed by Mount Pleasant and Greenville.
Sherman and Texas High are the Division I teams while Sulphur Springs and Royse City shuffle off to the Division II bracket this week.
Stinging stats of the week — The victory gave Denison back-to-back wins to close a season for the fourth straight year...It is the fifth straight season Denison won its season finale...The 49 points was the most scored by the Jackets since the Division II region final victory against Sulphur Springs in 2009...Denison finished without a 1,000-yard rusher for the second straight season..Hines surpassed 1,000 yards passing and is the 11th Denison QB to do so...Hines is also just 45 yards from 1,000 rushing yards in his career...Chapman’s three touchdowns equaled his season total and he had a season-high 81 rushing yards...Jaleel Dade tied Bush for the team lead with four catches...Richard McKinney had his first varsity touchdown on his only catch of the game, a 38-yader in the third quarter...Keondrick Golston had his first varsity catches, making two receptions for 16 yards...Denison had at least 19 first downs for the third straight week...Golston, Derick Bennett and Yefri Chavez had interceptions...Adrian Evans and Connor Counce had fumble recoveries...Grubbs averaged 23.2 yards per completion (13 for 301 yards).
 Comments ... 1 found!
Thank You, Jason : 11/7/2011
For all you do for the Jackets. You try to stay positive no matter how tough it has gotten around here for the last two seasons. I am optimistic that we may turn the corner next year. I will also add that I feel that the Untimely Death of D.J. Jones had a profound effect on all that is Denison this year. What a shame. The Kids coming back next year will bring with them the Zest of a new season and new beginnings. Positive news from the Underclassmen coming up and a good receiving corps serves as Better Times ahead.
Also, I will add that this is the last post by Jacket Master. 4 years of fun blogging on here ends now. Thanks to everyone for your responses whether good or bad, It all goes together.
I will always love The Jackets for what they stand for,,Tradition, Hope, and Good kids. It's Great to be a Yellow Jacket!!!
Jacket Master
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