Texas High Holds Off Pine Tree’s Rally, Notches 31-21 Win

[By Josh Richert, Special to ETSN.fm]

LONGVIEW — Pine Tree was driving for a tying score with five minutes left, when Texas High safety Dee Jones came up with his fifth interception of the year—second of the game—to propel the Tigers to a 31-21 win over the host Pirates on Friday.

The win was Texas High's fourth in a row, and the loss kept Pine Tree winless on the season.

Through the first half and partway into the second quarter, the teams were on an even playing field. Texas High chased the Tigers for much of the first half before taking the lead in the final minute of the second quarter.

Jonathan Giddings caught his second touchdown of the night for the Pirates to tie the score again, following a fumble recovery by defensive tackle Jakorey Sherow at the THS 31.

Mason Hays threw the second score to Giddings and also caught seven passes from Daniel Bonamy for 79 yards. Bonamy was 16 of 31 passing for 203 yards, and Giddings had five catches for 73 yards.

Javon Thomas (110) and J'Kardi Witcher (118) each surpassed the century mark in rushing yards, Thomaas scoring twice in the first half and Witcher racing in from the 15 for the game-winning TD.

Texas High played catch up for most of the first half, taking its first lead in the final minute before intermission to take a 21-14 lead into the locker room.

Thomas ran for two touchdowns, and quarterback Cade Pearson added a 2-yard sneak with 41 seconds left to give the Tigers their first lead of the game.

Pine Tree methodically marched 69 yards on 12 plays on its second drive of the game, Ward going off left tackle for a 2-yard score with 4:49 left in the first quarter to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead.

Thomas had a 4-yard TD to cap a 10-play scoring drive in response, but Giddings caught a 37-yard strike from Bonamy on fourth-and-6 to regain the lead for Pine Tree.

Four plays into the Tigers' ensuing drive, Thomas raced 30 yards to knot the score once again, with 6:00 left before intermission.