Published: November 07, 2009 04:33 pm      

Grandview knocks off Maypearl, takes second in District 15-2A

MAYPEARL — The Grandview Zebras (8-1, 4-1) took sole possession of second place in district 15-2A and warmed up for the playoffs with a 48-16 shellacking of Maypearl (7-3, 3-2) Friday night at W. G. Roessler Stadium.

The Zebras continued their strong play as of late, rolling up more than 500 yards of offense split almost evenly between the pass and the run.

Grandview head coach Aubrey Sims said he was pleased with his team’s effort.

“The kids played hard and played solid,” Sims said. “We made plays when we had to and we feel good about the win.”

The Zebras wasted little time jumping on the Panther’s defense.

After a nice kickoff return to the Maypearl 45, the Zebras went the remaining 55 yards in five plays. The drive was capped off by Daniel Spencer who took the ball in from four yards out.

Spencer struck again midway through the opening quarter as he took the handoff straight up the middle of the defense and outran the Panther defenders on a 51-yard touchdown run.

After forcing another Panther punt, the Zebras took over at their own 47. Two plays later, quarterback Derek Jarrell hit Brant Rice along the side of the end zone on a 44-yard pass.

The Zebra defense got into the act on the next Panther drive. Three plays into the drive, Ethan Eastwood’s pass was intercepted by Spencer. The Zebras took over at their own 27.

The Zebras then began to control the clock as they went to the running game.

The 12-play drive took more than six minutes off the clock.

Jacob Pannell finished off the drive as he plunged into the end zone from two yards out to extend the lead to 28-0.

Maypearl finally got their offense in gear on their next possession. The five-play drive was highlighted by a 52-yard scamper by sophomore running back D.J. Crownover.

His run moved the ball inside the Zebra 10 where Eastwood scored two plays later from a yard out and Maypearl was on the board.

The Zebras almost added to their first half totals as the final play of the half was a Jarrell pass to Spencer. The shifty back caught the ball at the 10 and worked his way inside the 2.

Time, however, had run out and the Zebras settled for a 21-point lead at the half.

The Zebras and Panthers traded a couple of possessions to start the third quarter. Maypearl began a drive at the Zebra 29 after recovering a fumble.

The Panthers moved the ball inside the 10, but were held at bay as the Zebra defense held on fourth-and-one at the six.

The Zebras quickly and emphatically put their stamp on the game on the very next play.

Jarrell dropped back in his own end zone and with plenty of protection, threw a perfect strike down the middle of the field to a streaking Rice who then outran everyone to the end zone for a 96-yard pass play.

Sims had nothing but accolades for his talented receiver.

“[Brant’s] worked hard this year,” Sims said. “He was a big part of our team last year and he’ll continue to do well for us this year and next.”

The Zebras added another score after the subsequent Panther possession. The Panther punt was blocked by James Baxter and returned to the Maypearl 20.

After a loss on first down, Jacob Pannell broke away from the Panther defenders and scored from 24 yards out.

Pannell also scored on the very next Zebra possession after a punt was blocked and scooped up by Kyle Holt, who returned it inside the Panther 10. One play later, Pannell scored from nine yards out.

The Panthers blocked the subsequent extra point and returned the ball for a two-point conversion, but could really muster nothing else offensively until late in the fourth quarter.

Crownover added another run to his resume as he plowed through the Zebra defense and scored from 75 yards out.

The Zebras hope to carry momentum into the playoffs.

The Zebras will face the Crawford Pirates at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium on the campus of Tarleton State University in Stephenville.