Lumberjacks pull out all stops to beat Bulldogs 45-28

J.J. GOES HIGH - Diboll's wide-receiver J. J. Hayes leaps over a Crockett defender to snag another reception from Lumberjack quarterback Jacolby Spencer. On the night, Spencer completed 17 of 25 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Lumberjack running back Ketaraus STanton, who had 32 carries against the Bulldogs, added another 168 yards to his impressive season numbers. The Jacks will host Carthage Friday night for the outright district championship title.

Diboll takes on Carthage for title

By Joe Miranda

Lumberjack correspondent

In a clash between two strong offensive units in a District 20-3A matchup between the Diboll Lumberjacks and the Crockett Bulldogs, the scoreboard at Bulldog Stadium looked like a pin-ball machine.

From the opening kickoff, the action was non stop for the first 20 minutes of the game. Touchdowns were scored in the first five possessions- three by the Bulldogs and two by Diboll.

Crockett took the opening kickoff and drove down the field 82 yards in just three plays. Running back Tyler Tabor broke loose for the final 74 yards. Kicker David Arvizu booted the extra point.

The Lumberjacks answered with a 99-yard drive in six plays. Quarterback Jacolby Spencer found J.J. Hayes downfield for a 71-yard TD reception. Alex Castillo kicked the point after to knot the score at seven.

On the night, Spencer had another great game with 17 of 25 for 274 yards and three touchdowns. Spencer only needs two more TD passes to tie the school record of 24 touchdowns in a season. The record is held by Cedric Vinson, a current assistant coach for the Lumberjacks and Luis Rios.

Still in the first quarter, the Bulldogs stormed back with a 9-play, 73-yard drive, capped by a five yard toss from quarterback Jay Maxwell to Ja-Gared Davis. Arvizu kicked the extra point to regain the lead at 14-7.

Spencer engineered a drive of 77- yards in seven plays with another TD to Hayes for 25 yards. Hayes had a very productive night with eight receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Castillo's extra point attempt sailed wide, leaving the score 14-13, Bulldogs.

On the following kickoff backup quarterback Tracey Cooper fielded the kick and returned it 79-yards, to extend their lead to 21-13, after Arvizu kicked the point.

Midway into the second quarter, after a short punt by the Dogs, Spencer called his own number to score from the one. The drive spanned 47 yards in seven plays. Going for two, Spencer spotted Cornelius Polk in the end zone to knot the game at 21 all.

Just before the half, Maxwell marched his team down the field 61 yards in 11 plays, finishing with a 30-yard TD pass to Willie Carter. Arvizu kicked the point to give the Bulldogs a 28-21 halftime lead.

Coming out in the second half, Coach Gary Martel's state ranked (#10) playoff bound, Lumberjacks came out firing on all cylinders.

Spencer guided his team on a 83-yard drive in 12 plays that took almost all the time remaining in the quarter.

In the second half, the Jacks controlled the ball for 19 minutes and 27 seconds. Spencer ran in his second touchdown of the game on another one yard keeper. Castillo added the point to even the match at 28-28.

In what probably was the turning point of the game came on the Bulldogs next possession. Unable to move the pigskin, the Dogs had to punt. A high snap to Davis sailed over his head and landed in the end zone where Diboll linebacker Jaime Palacio fell on the loose ball for a quick touchdown. Castillo followed with the extra point to put the Jacks on top for the first time in the game, 35-28.

Starting on their own two-yard line, after stopping the Bulldogs last effort on fourth down; the Jacks went 98 yards in 14 plays, to rack up their last touchdown. Castillo added the extra point that gave the visitors a commanding lead of 42-28. An interesting note to add, for the last nine meetings between Diboll and Crockett, the visiting team has prevailed.

Late in the game the Jacks went on their last drive, 60 yards in 11 plays with Castillo drilling a 38-yard field goal.

In the second half, the Lumberjack defense rose to the occasion, and shut the door on the Bulldogs, holding them scoreless the rest of the game.

Ketaraus Stanton noted more for his offense (168 yards on 32 carries) came up with a big interception to stop the Bulldogs last stand.

The last game of the regular season will be on senior night and championship game all rolled in one package. Diboll (9-0) (4-0) will host Carthage (7-2) (4-0) at Lumberjack Stadium Friday night at 7:30p.m. This game will be for all the marbles, one the Lumberjacks have looked forward to all season.

Even though both teams are headed to the playoffs in different division, this game will determine the outright district championship.