Yoe sweep league play on Monday

7-on-7 league play shifted over to Cameroon on Monday for the three round robin style games. The friendly confines of Yoe Field proved to be beneficial, as the Yoemen went a perfect 3-0 with wins over Temple (34-21), Copperas Cove (34-20) and Belton (21-14).

In week one of league play, Cameron went 1-2 with a win over Temple. Yoe head coach Tommy Brashear noted last week how his team seemed to improve as they day went on, and that seemed to carry over to week two.

“It was a very impressive showing,” said Brashear. “The difference from last week is that we came out ready to go. We came out firing on all cylinders from the get go. We got here and warmed up in time and that makes a huge difference. Nobody can get out there cold and get after it.”

In the opener with the Widcats, the game was tied a 7-7 before Cameron proceeded to score three straight times to take a commanding 28-7 lead. Yoe quarterback Zach Andress spread the ball around to Keke Moore and Iverson Westbrook, before going to Ka’Zirrus Holt to take the commanding lead. That trend seemed to carry over most of the night as the Yoemen never trailed in any game.

“I thought our focus was a lot better,” said Brashear. “Being at home helps. When you are at home, our kids, and a lot of kids in general, they want to make sure they look good for the fans and show what they are made of.”

All-in-all, Cameron had a good day on both sides of the ball. The offense continued to put up impressive numbers, but on this day the defense picked up their level of play with a total of 9 stops, which included an interception by linebacker Nico Vargas.

“Quarterback play went really well, our routes were well and we caught the ball well,” said Brashear. “Defense, to me, has probably made the biggest improvement. They were communicating better and we had a lot of four second calls on the other teams several times. That is a sign of good coverage.”

The second game versus Copperas Cove started much like the first, with the teams trading scores before Cameron proceeded to explode for 21 straight points. Andress hit Westbrook for back-to-back scores before Kadrian Hammond, the fourth Yoemen to score on the day, added on the insurance points. In the final game with Belton, the Yoe defense got three straight stops before the Tigers could get on the board.

The Yoemen will wrap up league play on Monday in Temple. The first game will begin at 5:30 p.m. from Wildcat Stadium.

The state 7-on-7 tournament will be played next week in Bryan on Thursday and Friday. Only a few spots remain in the 64-team field as the Brownwood SQT (June 23) and Celina SQT (June 24) will fill in the final few remaining spots. The pools will be announced this weekend.