Brandid Sports: Sherman (TX) Sends Seniors Out In Style
The Sherman Bearcats seniors ended and started a tradition all in the same night. They proved it's not all about how you start, but even about how you finish. The Bearcats won their first home game at Bearcat Stadium in the last game of the season with a 26-22 victory over West Mesquite (TX).
The Bearcats were lead by junior Quarterback Phoenix Grant had another big night with 368 (274 yards passing/94 yards rushing) total yards and 3 scores. "We were just hungry to come out here and win. Set a good winning feeling for next year and something to build on."
Grant connected with junior Wideout Vontrelle Sanders for a 19-yard touchdown for the first points of the game. Grant scored on the very next drive from 4 -yards out to give Sherman an early 14-0 lead.
But the Wranglers fought back scoring 22 unanswered points. West Mesquite was used a strong run game and explosive passing game to take a 22-14 lead going into the fourth quarter. Junior Quarterback Craig Dale led the offense with 224 yards passing and a touchdown pass. Defensive Lineman Donovan Hawthorne scored a 7 yard touchdown out of the jumbo package to give the Wranglers their first points in the second quarter. Junior Elijah Dancy added a 5-yard touchdown run with 2:04 left in the first half to give West Mesquite the a 15-22 lead at halftime. The Wranglers scored again on a 70-yard Dale to senior Wideout TJ Turner. Turner had a game-high 8 catches for 184 yards.
But the Bearcats answered back with a 3-yard Grant touchdown run. "We never gave up, we kept driving, cut the little things out (that were killing our drive), and we scored." Grant
The Bearcats took the lead when freshmen Running Back Kane Bowen and his O-Line bully his way into the end zone from 5-yards out with 5:17 left in the ball game.
The Bearcats defense led by senior Defensive End Cody Mitchell who had 6 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks in his final game as a Bearcat. The defense made big plays late to shutdown the West Mesquite offense late. "I knew it was the last one, had to go out with a win, and perform for my brother I play with everyday" Mitchell. Linebacker Logan WIlliams and Safety Connor Clark tied for the team lead in tackles with 7 each.
But the biggest defensive play of the game was made by junior Defensive Tackle Chaz Brown, who stopped the Wranglers running back on 4th down to secure the victory.
Coach Cory Cain was excited about winning his first home game as Sherman Head Football Coach. "It's always good to win at home and we hadn't done that yet, so that was huge. I'm real excited for our kids, I'm really proud of them, and man do I love them and their effort they did tonight to go win a game."
The Bearcats finish up the season 4-6 overall, while West Mesquite finishes up the season 2-8. Both teams were young this season and will contend for playoffs spots in 2022.
Photo gallery link: https://www.brandidsports.com/post/photo-gallery-west-mesquite-tx-vs-sherman-tx