Malakoff's overtime FG puts an end to Yoe's season, 37-34

When you get to the fourth round of the state football playoffs in Texas, you expect to see close, hard-fought ball games.  Malakoff and Cameron played one of the more memorable contests of the postseason in 2015, and Friday night's regional finale from Waco ISD Stadium was equally as thrilling. 

For the Yoe faithful, this one didn't turn out liked they would have liked as Malakoff's Everardo Garcia nailed a 30-yard field goal in overtime to end the Yoemen's playoff run.  

Malakoff (14-0) advances to play Yoakum (10-4) next week in the state semifinals.  Yoakum came back late to defeat Hallettsville, 27-23.  

In what was a back-and-forth affair all night long, four quarters was just not enough to decide who would win the region III title.  Cameron had their first crack at it in overtime, but failed to convert a first down and could not generate any points. 

With any score being enough for the win, Malakoff drove down to the Yoe 12-yard line before setting up Everardo's game-winner.  

"Last year he missed a few kicks in this game and they blocked some kicks on him," said Malakoff head coach Jamie Driskell.  "He felt it on his shoulders and he didn’t lose that game.  Down here we had the wind and I had all the faith in the world in him and we knew it was good off of his foot."

For the Yoemen (11-3), the state quarterfinalist finish ends the streak of state championship game appearances at four.   

"They felt like they let one slip away last year and I kinda of feel like we let one slip away this year," said Yoemen head coach Tommy Brashear.  "They fought hard the entire game, even though the weather and rain."

This was the final game for a senior class that had many play a part in over 50 games over the past four years. 

"We had a very strong senior class," said Brashear.  "This was Jesse Valdez’s 52nd ball game to play in, and that is amazing.  There are 13 of them and it’s a great bunch of kids.  They were a fun bunch to be around and were fun to work with.  This was my first senior group as a head coach, and they will always be special to me."

As you would expect with an overtime game, both teams finished with similar stats.  The Yoemen tallied 400 totals yards while Malakoff had 419. 

The teams traded scores in the first with Malakoff QB Judd Miller opening the the game with a 6-yard run, followed by a touchdown pass from Yoe quarterback Zack Andress to Sicory Smith to tie it up a six apiece.  

Miller gave the Tigers the lead back early in the second with a 62-yard pass to Q.T. Barker.  Yoe responded with a big bass play of their own, with a 42-yarder from Andress to Wells to once again tie it up at 13.  A 7-yard yard touchdown run by Bre'shawn Williams put Malakoff up at the half, 20-13

Cameron seemed to have momentum in the third quarter when Yoe quarterback Zack Andress found Iverson Westbrook for a 25-yard score to put Cameron up by a score.  

The turning point in the game came shortly thereafter on Malakoff's next possession.  The Yoe defense had forced the Tigers into a 3rd and 17 at their own 5-yard line.  That is when Miller snuck a pass just over the Yoe secondary to receiver Jaquaylan Hart, who went untouched for a 95-yard score.  The extra point attempt failed to keep Cameron up by one point, 27-26.  

Cameron responded, capping off a 67-yard drive with a 30-yard screen pass from Andress to Smith, followed up by an Eddie Luna extra point extended the Yoemen lead to eight at 34-26.  

With 5:00 minutes remaining the game, Malakoff struck in similar fashion, with a 12-yard receiver screen from Miller to Tyler Russell.  Miller found Russell again on the 2-point conversion to tie the game for the final time. 

Brashear on the Yoemen's performance: They fought hard tonight.  We didn’t come away with the victory, but they played their hearts out.  They played like Yoemen.  

SCORING

1st Quarter

Malakoff: Judd Miller 6-yard run - run failed - 6-0 Malakoff - 9:32

Cameron: Zack Andress 20-yard pass to Sicory Smith - kick failed - 6-6 - 6:48

2nd Quarter

Malakoff: Miller 62-yard pass to Q.T. Barker - Garcia kick - 13-6 Malakoff - 11:011

Cameron: Andress 42-yard pass to Jordan Wells - Luna kick - 13-13 - 5:57

Malakoff: Bre'shawn Williams 4-yard run - Garcia kick - 20-13 - 4:56

3rd Quarter

Cameron: Nico Vargas 4-yard run - Luna kick - 20-20 - 8:42

Cameron: Andress 25-yard pass to Iverson Westbrook - Luna lick - 27-20 Yoe - 5:52

Malakoff: Miller 95-yard pass to Jaquaylan Hart - kick failed - 27-26 Yoe - 3:59

4th Quarter

Cameron: Andress 30-yard pass to Smith - Luna kick - 34-26 Yoe - 7:25

Malakoff: Miller 12-yard pass to Russell - Miller to Russell - 34-34 - 5:00

Overtime

Malakoff; Garcia 30-yard field goal - 37-34 Malakoff

STATS

Cameron Yoe

First Downs: 24

Rushing Yards: 37-166

Passing Yards: 234

Passes: 20-37-2

Punts: 2-32.5

Fumbles/Fumbles Lost: 1-1

Penalties: 7-45

INDIVIDUAL

Rushing: Zack Andress, 19-79; Tydrick Williams, 8-53; Nico Vargas, 7-25; Jordan Wells, 2-14

Passing: Zack Andress, 20-37-3, 234 yards

Receiving: Sicory Smith, 5-73; Jordan Wells, 4-61; Iverson Westbrook, 6-58; Jordan Young, 5-42

Malakoff

First Downs: 13

Rushing Yards: 22-138

Passing Yards: 281

Passes: 12-27-1

Punts: 2-27

Fumbles/Fumbles Lost: 1-1

Penalties: 8-58

INDIVIDUAL

Rushing: Judd Miller, 11-75; Bre'shawn Williams, 10-63

Passing: Judd Miller, 12-27-1, 281 yards

Receiving: Q.T. Barker, 4-124; Jaquaylan Hart, 2-103