ECMS FOOTBALL REPORT

It was almost a clean sweep for El Campo Middle School to start the football season last week.

The Ricebirds took on Bay City in the first game of the year and three out of four teams came away with opening-week wins.

The eighth graders traveled to Bay City Thursday while the seventh-grade teams hosted the Blackcats.

8th Grade Red

El Campo shut out the Blackcats on their own home field for a 26-0 to start the season.

"We made a lot of mistakes, but our kids played pretty good for the first game," Coach Jim Sappington said. "They are hard workers and will get better."

The Ricebirds jumped on Bay City with a score in the first quarter.

Devin Parks made the first mark on the scoreboard with a 5-yard touchdown run. The following extra point failed, but El Campo had the lead 6-0.

Parks scored again in the second quarter, but this time from much further away. He took the ball and scrambled 30 yards for his second score on the night.

DeAndre Pratt ran in for the extra point - which in junior high is worth one point while a field goal is worth two - and El Campo took a 13-0 lead. El Campo moved the ball on Bay City again in the second half and Parks came through once more.

After driving deep into Blackcat territory, Parks ran in for a 4-yard touchdown and scored the extra point to put the 'Birds up 20-0.

One more score was it for El Campo. Pratt broke free for a 25-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The extra point failed, but El Campo won the game shortly after this last score, 26-0.

Parks led the 'Birds with 107 yards rushing while Pratt ran for 62, Cullen Schoener ran for 12 and Dominic Castillo ran for 3 yards.

Leading tacklers for El Campo were Castillo, Bryan Sparks, Eric Williamson, Ryan Reyna, Camden Green and Tanner Schoener.

8th Grade White

El Campo had a tough time against the stingy Blackcat defense in the first week of football action.

The Ricebirds amassed a total 86 yards, including 80 rushing yards from five combined players, but lost 12-0 on a pair of Blackcat scores in the first and fourth quarters.

Even in the loss, El Campo's defense played well. The allowed 136 yard to the Blackcats, 77 of it rushing and 59 passing yards.

Jacorric Malone led El Campo with 48 rushing yards while Castrong Richardson ran for 15, Devontey Allen gained 11 and Derek Yackel gained 8 rushing yards.

Yackel completed one pass to Ryan Hermann for 6 yards.

Leading tacklers on the night were Nathan Jackson with 9, Allen with 7, Richardson with 4, Bartolo Salgado with 3 and Collin Jansky made 2 tackles and also had a fumble recovery.

7th Grade Red

The Ricebirds came through with an intense win over Bay City to start the year.

El Campo won 8-0 and shut out the Blackcats with scores in the first and fourth quarters.

"The entire team played well," Coach Brady Peterson said. "We controlled the clock on offense while shutting them down defensively. The coaches are very proud of their first game and victory."

The first score of the game came on the Ricebirds' defense.

With the Blackcats backed up to the goal line and Bay City's quarterback moving around in the end zone, Travis Woods came up with a big sack for a safety. Woods' great hit put El Campo ahead 2-0.

The 'Birds extended their lead in the fourth quarter on a long touchdown run.

Jeff Fiala ran for a 45-yard sweep to score the game's only touchdown and boost the Ricebirds to an 8-0 lead and ultimately a win.

7th Grade White

El Campo made one score in the first quarter and the defense held Bay City silent for the remainder of the game to come out with a 7-0 win.

"All players put forth a great effort and the coaches are very pleased with their first game," Peterson said.

Jeremy Supak took the game's opening kickoff 65 yards and set up B.J Flagg for a 7-yard touchdown run on a right-side sweep.

Montray Johnson ran up the middle for the extra point to give El Campo a 7-0 lead and the eventual win.

Montray Johnson, Gilbert Vallejo, Flagg and Supak led the 'Birds in rushing on the night.

Defensive players of the game were Cody Chumchal, Jacorric Sims, Steven Speaker as the team's leading tacklers and Trey Martin and Rico Bernal, who combined for some nice sacks.