Tidehaven and Van Vleck squared off against each other last Friday at Bay City High School Memorial Stadium in a UIL regional playoff – testimony to both programs prowess.
Tidehaven quarterback Kale Russell sparked the Tiger offense with 194 yards of rushing to Tidehaven’s 42-20 victory over the Leopards.
Tidehaven, 11-2, now will play Lexington, 12-1, at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Cy-Fair Pridgeon Stadium in the UIL quarterfinal playoff.
Tidehaven will be the visiting team.
“It was a great day of football for the county,” said Tidehaven Head Coach David Lucio.
“Both communities came out strong to support their teams, it was an awesome site,” he added.
Both sides of Memorial Stadium were packed with fans, noted Sentinel photographer Jessica Shepard.
“Any time you play a rival type game one of the toughest things to do is to keep your kids focused on the game,” Lucio pointed out.
“When you make it a third round playoff game on Thanksgiving week, it makes it ten times harder, he said.
“I think our boys did a great job of staying focused, and that led us to executing on a high level.”
Russell had three TDs to go with his 195 yards – his longest was 62 yards.
Tiger back Jachen Duren also had an impressive game with 88 yards rushing on 11 carries and a TD.
Bryce Sliva had 50 yards in four carries and a TD.
Russell was 3 for 3 passing with an aerial score.
Tiger receiver Ashton Kleiber caught Russell’s 27-yard touchdown pass.
Tiger highlights included:
Lebron Garcia 1 forced fumble
Boogie Galvan 1 fumble recovery
Special Teams:
Paco Lara, 6 for 6 on extra points
TJ Galvan: 1 punt return for 27 yards, 1 KO return for 35 yards.
Darnell “Duck” Butler: 1 KO return for 13 yards.
Van Vleck had 255 total yards, with 3 of 15 for 57 yards passing and 198 yards rushing.
The Leopards lost star running back Corey Austin in the first quarter.
“There are a lot of men on the Van Vleck coaching staff that I consider friends, and our kids are friends with a lot of their players,” Lucio noted.
“We have much respect for the Van Vleck program, so congrats to them on a great run,” he said.
“Kale has never had to be much of a ball carrier for us before this season,” Lucio remarked.
“We knew as the season went along and he got more carries, he would become more polished. “The same could be said for Jachen.
“Both have gotten better throughout the season as far as running the ball.
“Their vision, toughness, and awareness just gets better each game.
“None of that would be possible if they didn’t have an offensive line in front of them playing at the level they have been playing at,” the coach said.
“Our starters of Hayden Culbreath, Jose Alejo, Josiah Duran, Ethan Barker, and Kole Sengsourivong, along with Louis Ortiz off the bench, have been dominating this postseason.”
All five starters are juniors, and Ortiz is a sophomore, Lucio said
“They are a smart and tough bunch of kids.”
“Lexington seems to be a contender just about every season,” he added about Friday’s game.
“They are a very talented team. Their quarterback is one of the best in 3A, and the receivers he throws to are fast and talented.
“Some of their strengths have been some of our weaknesses.
We know this, so we will spend the week strengthening these weaknesses,” Lucio said.
“We try to play Tidehaven ball, be physical, not back down, and play all four quarters.
“We will see if this will be good enough to get us to round 5.”
