GATHERING OF THE TROOPS - Diboll Head Coach Gary Martel talks to his players following the 56-32 loss to the Carthage Bulldogs Friday night. Martel praised his players for an outstanding job against a powerful Bulldog team and encouraged their continued determination as they enter the bi-district playoff round. Diboll will meet Palestine-Westwood this Friday night at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin. Pre-game tickets may be obtained at the DISD Administration Office at $4 for students and $6 for adults. Tickets on game night will all be $6. See game photos and senior night photos on the front page, click on the big blue dot.
Lumberjacks take on Panthers in bi-district round
By Joe Miranda - Diboll correspondent
In the game for all the marbles, the Carthage Bulldogs claimed the District 20-3A championship by handing the Diboll Lumberjacks their first loss of the season, 56-32.
The Bulldogs raced out to a early lead of 21-0 and never looked back as they powered the Lumberjacks with a potent offense, led by quarterback Si'Darius Blackshire. Blackshire passed for 371 yards and four touchdowns, while completing passes to nine different speedy receivers.
Carthage took the opening kickoff and drove 82 yards in 7 plays, capped by a one-yard plunge by Blackshire. Kicker Chris Dickerson booted the first of his eight extra points. Gary Tatum followed with his first touchdown; a one yard plunge to put the Dogs up 14-0 after Dickerson's kick.
Early in the second quarter, Blackshire hooked up with J.D. Hicks on a 25 yard TD pass to increase their lead to 21-0.
The Lumberjacks finally got on the board when Ketaraus Stanton ripped off the final 3 yards of a 68-yard drive. Alex Castillo drilled the extra point.
On the Bulldogs next possession, Castillo stepped in front of a Blackshire pass and returned it down the left sideline before being forced out at the six.
Diboll quarterback Jacolby Spencer finished off the short drive when he crashed through the defense from two yards out. Castillo kicked the extra point to cut the Bulldog lead to 21-14.
Spencer had 181 yards passing on 11 of 16 and one touchdown. He needs one more touchdown to tie the school record of 24. He also suffered his first interception of the season. On the ground Spencer had 89 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns.
Just before the half, the Bulldogs tacked on another score when Blackshire found Tauares Allison, across the middle on a 25 yard pass. Dickerson added the x-point to take a 28-14 lead at halftime.
In the second half, Stanton got the Jacks moving again, when he finished off a 65-yard drive from four yards out. The extra point attempt failed but the Jacks cut the lead to 28-20.
The Bulldogs came right back, however, and countered with a Blackshire to Hicks 15 yard TD pass. They followed that with a quick TD after a fumble recovery at the Lumberjack five. Two plays later Tatum, barreled into the end zone for the tally.
The Jacks stormed back and struck quickly, with a 3- play drive of 78 yards. Spencer hit tight end Cutler Ruby with a beauty down the middle for 77 yards as Ruby outran the pursuit.
The Dogs came right back with a 80-yard drive in 11 plays, when Blackshire threw his fourth touchdown pass, a one yard toss to Trevor Murphy.
Diboll fought back to cut the margin again with a one- yard sneak by Spencer. The two point conversion attempt failed.
With time running out the Dogs struck one more time, with a 10 yard scamper by Murphy. Dickerson booted the last of his eight extra points, to make the final score, 56-32.
After absorbing their first loss of the season, Coach Gary Martel's Lumberjacks, look to rebound in a playoff encounter with the Palestine-Westwood Panthers. The action will take place at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin, Friday night at 8 p.m. See ticket information at left.
Make your plans to make the short trip and support the Lumberjacks with a big turnout.
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