Texas High Offense Erupts, Defense Stays Stout in 51-15 Win Over Mount Pleasant

[By Johnny Green, Special to ETSN.fm]

MOUNT PLEASANT—It took Texas High a little more than a quarter to shake off the effects of last week's gigantic win over Sulphur Springs, but once the Tigers did, they took command against Mount Pleasant the same way they had in their first two District 14-4A games.

Mount Pleasant scored on the game's first play from scrimmage, then regained the lead inside the first minute of the second quarter before Tre Walker and the Tigers defense took control, handing MP its fifth straight loss, 51-15, on Friday at Sam Parker Field.

With their fifth straight win, the Tigers improved to 7-1 overall and 3-0 in district play. They assumed sole possession of first place with the help of Sulphur Springs' rout of Hallsville. Mount Pleasant, which started 3-0 before injuries took their toll, is 3-5 and 0-3.

Cullen Grubbs connected with Andrew Flanagan on a 76-yard scoring pass to start the game, then hit Jaquille Rogers with a 41-yard TD bomb with 11:42 left in the half to give the hometown Tigers a 15-10 lead. But it was all downhill after that.

Walker, who went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark (1,042) with 183 yards on 23 carries, scored four touchdowns—all in the first half—and they came in three different methods.

The senior tailback had TD runs of 21 and 32 yards, blocked a punt and returned it 20 yards for a score, and finished off a 27-0 unanswered run by the Tigers by taking a screen pass from Kody Hunter 10 yards for a final touchdown seconds before halftime.

Grubbs threw for 269 yards and the two scores, but was also intercepted three times with long returns by Aaron Faucett, Jarion Anderson and Marquan Daniels setting up scores.

The fourth—Kevin Harris' third of the season—came off the arm of backup Josh Griffin in the MP end zone, ending the Tigers' only threat of the second half.

Grubbs was also sacked seven times, finishing with minus-42 yards on seven carries. For the game, Mount Pleasant had negative 51 yards on 18 carries.

Flanagan had four receptions for 147 yards and Rodgers five for 98, but Baylor commit K. D. Cannon was held to four catches for 39 yards.