For years in the game
of football there has been an invisible force that can in a moment rear its head and change the outcome of an entire game. That force can turn slow players into elite running backs. It can turn undersized linemen into the most powerful blockers. It can turn average defenders into virtual gladiators.
It can simultaneously reverse the effects of a team on the charge. A team poised for victory can suddenly morph into a team that doesn’t know how to execute fundamentals. It causes sure-handed receivers to drop passes and sure-footed running backs to trip over thin air. That secret force is called “momentum.” When momentum is in your favor the game is easy. When momentum shifts against you everything snowballs.
Friday night’s game against the Ira Bulldogs was a game of momentum. The Spur Bulldogs came out firing, scoring on their first play from scrimmage and seemed poised to take the victory with a 16-point lead into the half.
In the first half Ethan Parsons carried the ball 15 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns. He passed for two more touchdowns, one each to Isaiah Sanchez and Keaton Adams. Jacob Cole recovered a fumble and Adams intercepted a pass. The Bulldogs were rolling.
But in the 3rd quarter Ira returned the favor, scoring on the first play of their first two possessions and never looked back. Momentum had shifted. Spur did take a two-point lead into the 4th quarter but the momentum was moving too fast in the other direction. Spur would surrender three sacks, one of which was a safety, and would fumble a kickoff. The only bright spot of the second half would be Cole’s 78-yard kickoff return, but it would not be enough. Spur would be outscored 28-8 in the final quarter to drop this district contest 56-38.
After the game, Coach Tate Clark would say, “I tell the boys that you’ve got two things you have to do really well — blocking and tackling — and we didn’t do either one of those today.” The Bulldogs have a week to regain their poise as the challenge this week remains stiff. The Bulldogs (5-2) travel to Aspermont (6-1) who defeated Rotan 52-6 this past Friday night. This game will likely be for the second and final playoff spot.
[Spur JV (2-4) loses to Hermleigh JV 37-6; Spur JH (6-0) defeats Ira JH 27-6]
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