Bolton loses another close one, Bartlett rolled in Alabama
Arlington won its first game under new head coach Tommy Miller on Aug. 26, using an explosive offense to overwhelm the Memphis East Mustangs 48-12.
More than 1,000 people filled the stands at Arlington High School to watch Miller’s team get on track after suffering a season-opening defeat to MUS on the road.
Arlington scored on its first drive and then a minute later, picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown for an early 13-0 lead.
East answered with a long, 77-yard rushing touchdown on its next possession but could not convert the 2-point try, cutting the lead to 13-6.
Then Arlington took over.
Quarterback Grant Buchanan connected on a 53-yard scoring pass to take a 20-6 lead.
Another interception deep in Mustang territory lead to another short passing score, giving Arlington a commanding 27-6 advantage.
Buchanan connected on another 36-yard scoring pass before the end of the first quarter, extending the lead to 34-6.
Early in the second quarter, Buchanan scampered 15 yards for a touchdown, and the Tigers would tack on another score to lead 48-6 at halftime.
With the starters done for the night, the Mustangs got a late 20-yard touchdown pass and the final score was 48-12.
“The kids came out and played lights out from the get-go,” Miller said. “Obviously, we didn’t execute as well as we wanted to last week so that was a point of emphasis, to take care of us, focus on us, and get things cleaned up. The kids came out and did it, so I’m proud of them.”
Because of the lopsided score, the younger Tigers were able to get good playing time, which will help them long-term, he added.
Miller said it was important to have momentum going into 6A Region 8 play on Friday, Sept. 2, against rival Bartlett.
“We need a week to get there, but we’ll be ready,” Miller said of the match-up at Bartlett at 7 p.m. “This is a blue-collar team that works and we are going to do everything we can to make corrections and be at the top of our game.”
A couple of Tiger players suffered injuries, but nothing major, he said.
“We need another great week of practice,” he said. “In my experience, with rivalry games everything goes out the window. It can go either way. I’m expecting it to be a lot of fun and some good football.”
Buccaneers bushwhack Bartlett
Bartlett, meanwhile, went to Hoover, Alabama, and took it on the chin against the powerhouse Hoover High Buccaneers, losing 56-7 to drop to 1-1 on the season.
The Buccaneers did most of their damage on the ground, pounding out 233 yards rushing including two big plays of 55 and 42 yards, the latter by Jaccorey Hayes going for a score.
The score was tied 7-7 after the first quarter, but Hoover turned on the jets in the second, scoring 35 unanswered points.
Bartlett quarterback Braylen Ragland threw two interceptions that were both Pick 6s. On one of those plays, the ball clearly slipped out of his hands and floated just past the line of scrimmage into the waiting arms of middle linebacker Bradley Shaw, who took it 23 yards untouched into the end zone.
Hoover (1-1) had 285 yards in total offense and did not turn the ball over.
Bartlett had 128 in total yardage, 53 passing and 75 on the ground.
The Panthers face rival Arlington (1-1) at home at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2.
Bolton comes up short
Bolton High let one slip away on Aug. 26, unable to hold a 12-8 lead in the fourth quarter against Raleigh-Egypt. The final score was 20-12.
The Wildcats scored first, had the extra point attempt blocked, and led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter. Bolton (0-3) had several more opportunities in the first half, but penalties would stunt drives, while its defense kept the Pharaohs at bay for the first half.
In the third quarter, Raleigh-Egypt quarterback Kevon Jordan ran 27 yards around right end and got the Pharaohs on the board, 8-6.
But Wildcats quarterback E’darian Washington answered, faking a hand-off and running up the middle for 28 yards, breaking tackles for a highlight-reel touchdown.
Down 12-8 in the fourth, the Pharaohs got a big interception from senior defensive back Jaden Brooks and scored twice in the period, finishing off a 20-12 win.
Raleigh-Egypt head coach Thurston Rubin Jr. told Memphis Preps Sports and More reporter Monique Bethany (@MoniquejBethany) his team, even though down in the fourth quarter, was not going to give up.
“We preach perseverance .. we understand it’s not about how you start but always about how you finish,” Rubin said. “If you’ve got the mentality of a winner, you’ll win.”
