Cleburne Times-Review, Cleburne, TX

Sports

September 19, 2009

Elks move to 4-0 to set up showdown with Abilene on Friday

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By Dale Gosser/Managing Editor

MANSFIELD — In its first three games, Burleson never trailed and scored the first time it had the ball. That all changed on Friday night against Mansfield at Vernon Newsom Stadium.

The Elks (4-0) appeared sluggish and fell behind 12-0 by halftime before riding running back Blake Smith for 177 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 20-12 comeback victory to remain undefeated heading into a District 3-5A showdown on Friday against Abilene at Elk Stadium.

Trailing 12-7 late in the third quarter, Burleson went back to the drawing board and did what it took to stay undefeated through three games – lots of Smith running the ball.

After a shanked punt set the Elks up at the Tiger 33 with 29 seconds left in the third quarter, Smith carried the ball six straight times, scoring on a 1-yard run on the final carry to give Burleson a 13-12 advantage.

After forcing the Tigers (1-3) to punt, it was Smith again who led the charge. He carried the ball from the Burleson 32 to the Mansfield 44 on five consecutive plays and ninth in a row dating back to the previous drive. Quarterback Brice Warren then hit Theo Hollars out of the backfield for a 13-yard gain before Smith bolted another 8 yards to the Mansfield 21 with less than five minutes to play in the game.

Five plays later Smith blasted through the middle on third and three from the 11 and scored his second touchdown of the game.

Mason Gann’s extra point made it 20-12 with 2:47 to play.

Mansfield made it to the Elk 27 with less than two minutes left in the game but three straight incompletions by quarterback Daniel Green and a sack on fourth down by Burleson’s Derek Ellsworth sealed the win.

Mansfield’s defense stymied the Elk offense early and often in the first half. The Tigers rode the legs of Anthony Thompson who scored a 1-yard touchdown with 1:17 left in the first quarter to make it 6-0. The Tigers added to their lead with nine-play, 82-yard drive just before the half.

Green hooked up with Preston Willis on a 44-yard catch and Darius Pipkins for another 15 yards to put the ball at the Elk 11. Two plays later, Green connected with Greg Black from 3-yards out for the touchdown.

Burleson made an adjustment to Mansfield’s control of the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball heading into the third quarter. The Elks found their way to the end zone for the first time in the third quarter.

Backup quarterback Corey Bailey found wide receiver Adam Burnett on third and eight at the Burleson 22 who then raced 65 yards to the Mansfield 12. Three plays later, Hollars strolled in from 6-yards out.

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