Sports

Missed chances cost T’Äôwolves against Tigers

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Cedar Park took its shot at handing Stony Point its first district loss of the season on Friday night, playing a pretty good ballgame in the process.

However, the Timberwolves simply could not answer the big plays by the Tigers in a 35-10 loss at Dragon Stadium.

With the loss, Cedar Park (2-3 in 16-5A, 4-4) falls a game behind Leander and Georgetown for third place in district with two games to go.

’ÄúI thought our guys did everything they could do out there against Stony Point,’Äù said Cedar Park coach Chris Ross. ’ÄòThe defense played well and we got three trips inside the red zone, but we just couldn’Äôt finish things off there.’Äù

The loss comes despite another solid game from halfback Dedrick McKnight. McKnight rushed for 136 yards on 17 carries, becoming the first player this year to rush for 100 yards against Stony Point. It was also his sixth 100-plus yard game in seven tries this year.

Cedar Park trailed 7-0 midway through the opening quarter, but used an eight-play, 80-yard drive to knot the score at 7-7 on an 11-yard touchdown catch by Chad Spencer. Spencer also had a 34-yard catch that helped move the ball into Stony Point territory.

The Tigers responded with a touchdown on their ensuing drive, and it looked like the T’Äôwolves might do the same on the next series.

Using a pair of nice runs from McKnight, as well as a 35-yard pass from Drew Russo to Cody Cloud, Cedar Park had a first and goal on the Stony Point 4 with just over five minutes left in the first half.

However, the T’Äôwolves managed just two yards on three run plays and was stopped for a one-yard loss on fourth down to kill the drive. The Tigers then used a trio of pass plays to power a 97-yard scoring drive, posting a 21-7 lead at the half.

’ÄúThose two drives at the end of the first half were huge,’Äù Ross said. ’ÄúOur offense missed an opportunity and Stony Point made us pay for it.’Äù

Cedar Park’Äôs defense then knocked down a final scoring try in the waning seconds, as Brandon Allen broke up a throw into the end zone as the clock wound down.

In the second half, the T’Äôwolves saw the deficit deepen to 28-7 as the Tigers scored on their opening possession.

The offense again came to life late in the quarter, setting up a first-and-goal from the Stony Point 8. Set up by a 27-yard run by McKnight, Cedar Park could not get any closer on three running plays.

That forced the T’Äôwolves to settle for a 25-yard field goal by Devon Purslow, cutting the deficit to 28-10.

But it was Stony Point that had the final scoring say as they ripped off an 85-yard kick return for a touchdown and a 35-10 lead going to the fourth quarter.

’ÄúEvery time we scored, they answered right back,’Äù Ross said.

Stony Point tried to add to its lead with two final drives in the fourth quarter, but was turned away by two nice goal-line stands by Cedar Park.

Paul Adams and Evan Hisler had stops on one drive, with Ethan Wenz having the big hit on the second drive.

Cedar Park rushed for 235 yards against Stony Point, nearly doubling the 289 yards the Tigers had given up coming into the game.

Cedar Park will face a must win contest tonight to keep their playoff hopes alive, hosting Westwood at 7 p.m. at A.C. Bible Jr. Memorial Stadium.

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