By Dr. David Davis
The anticipation of the return of Manvel head coach Kirk Martin to the football program he began in 2008 ended with disappointment as Manvel fell to the Shadow Creek Sharks 34-15.
Martin was returning home to Manvel after being gone for five years as the quarterback coach at Syracuse University (2 years) and Colleyville Heritage High School (3 years).
Shadow Creek rode the leadership of junior QB Jacorey Watson who was 10-of-24 passing for 135 yards and two TDs while rushing for 82 yards on 13 carries and one score in leading the Sharks the win over district cousin Manvel.
But it was the Shark defense that made the greatest impact as four second-half turnovers with relentless defensive pressure shut down the usually potent Mavs offense.
“All our fans could have asked for a better homecoming from me because I was terrible tonight,” Martin said. “Our offense was awful. I tried to do way too much way too fast. It’s 100% my fault, but I’ll get our kids right.“
Our defense played lights out, but I don’t know how many three-and-outs we had. We also had false starts, busts, personal fouls and unforced turnovers.
“We were just bad. There’s no other way to say it, and I’m why.”
Watson scored the game’s first touchdown on a 2-yard run with 5:06 left in the first quarter. Aiden Bui kicked the PAT for the 7-0 lead. The scoring drive was sparked by a 56-yard jaunt by Watson to set up the score.
Later in the quarter, Shadow Creek snapped the ball over Bui’s head when he lined up to punt resulting in a safety for Manvel making the score 7-2.
The Sharks extended the lead to 14-2 when Watson hit Tylik Burton for a 24-yard pass for a score. Bui added the PAT for a 14-2 advantage.
Manvel would narrow the score to 14-9 at intermission when Jonathan Haynes scored on a 10-yard run.
The second half belonged to the Sharks as they outscored the Mavs 20-6.
Bui hit a 30 yard and a 33-yard field goals while Burton scored a 9-yard touchdown to make the score 27-9 at the end of three quarters.
Watson capped off the scoring for the Sharks as he hit Alex Kirkland on a 53-yard touchdown strike to make the score 34-9.
Manvel would score their only touchdown of the second half when QB Jackson Hamilton scored on a 3-yard keeper with 2:27 left in the game making the final score 34-15 following the blocked PAT.
“Coming in, I felt like both our defenses were ahead of the offenses of either team,” Shadow Creek head coach Brad Butler said. “Offensively, we made some plays when we had to that kind of made the difference.
“Both teams have a long way to go. We were causing them some problems, getting pressure on the quarterback. And at times, they were, too.
“Overall, I was really proud of the way the defense fought and hung in there.”
Shadow Creek will travel to Challenger Stadium to face the Clear Springs Chargers on Friday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m.
