High School Football: Pilot Point takes 2A title

By Randy Stevens

San Marcos — Two of Class 2A’s best running backs put on quite a show Saturday afternoon, as Pilot Point locked up with Kirbyville for in the first state title game at Bobcat Stadium in 18 years.

Pilot Point touted their senior rusher, Jarman Johnson, the school’s all-time leading running back, while Kirbyville had been riding the talent of junior running back LaFredrick Ford. Both accounted for 500 yards on the ground, as Pilot Point held off Kirbyville for a 35-28 win, allowing the Bearcats to capture their first state title since 1981.

Ford was top on the stat sheet, racking up 263 yards on 29 carries, and Johnson wasn’t far behind with 227 yards on 35 attempts. But it was Johnson’s ability to pound the ball into the end zone with four touchdowns that put the Bearcats on top.

It was a fitting end to an emotional playoff run for Johnson, who lost his father three weeks ago.

“This one was for the my Dad up there,” Johnson said pointing to the sky. “He told us to go out and win state for him and we did it. Not just me, the whole entire team.”

The win ended Pilot Point’s season with a perfect 15-0 record, while it was the second year in a row that Kirbyville fell short in the state title game.

Destiny seemed to be on Pilot Point’s side early on, as the Bearcats jumped out to a quick lead by scoring on their first possession and taking advantage of an early Kirbyville turnover.

The Bearcats capped quick, six-play drive with Johnson’s 43-yard touchdown three minutes into the game. Johnson took the handoff on the right side, knocked down a Kirbyville defender with a strong stiff-arm, and scooted untouched into the end zone.

Pilot Point got a huge gift on Kirbyville’s first play from scrimmage when Ford coughed up the ball, allowing PP’s Justin Chambers to recover. Six plays later, the Bearcats were on the board again, as Seth Tilley carried the ball in on a 4-yard, play-action keeper that gave Pilot Point a 14-0 lead with close to seven minutes remaining in the opening period.

Kirbyville put itself back into the game immediately following the ensuing kickoff when Ford put his mark on the contest with a 42-yard run on a left-side weep. The Wildcats tried for two when holder Justin Keen picked up the ball and rolled out to pass, but he was wrapped up by Pilot Point defender Mason Guthrie behind the line of scrimmage, allowing the Bearcats to hold a 14-6 lead. With 6:33 remaining in the quarter.

Kirbyville made turned up the drama when the Wildcats scored early in the second quarter, as Ford escaped for a 14-yard tally, capping a six-play, 83-yard drive.

But the Wildcats’ attempt for two was snuffed out by Pilot Point’s Jeremy Jackson, who brought down Kirbyville quarterback Kael Jones at the 3-yard line, allowing the Bearcats to hold a 14-12 lead with 8:08 left in the half.

That’s when PP countered by giving the Wildcats a steady dose of Johnson, giving the senior running back the ball 11 times on a 13-play drive. Johnson’s 1-yard, right-side rumble into the end zone gave the Bearcats a 21-12 lead they would take into halftime.

Kirbyville made things interesting on its first series of the second half thanks to a 3-yard run from Ford, set up by his 46-yard jaunt two plays earlier. But Wildcats kicker Matt Russell’s shot was off the mark, allowing the Bearcats to hold on to a 21-18 lead.

That would be as close as the Wildcats would get, as Pilot Point answered with another touchdown from Johnson, this one from three yards out. Ruben Martinez, who as a perfect 5-for-5 on point-after attempts, drove the ball through the upright to give PP a 28-18 lead.

Johnson’s fourth score sealed the deal, as he followed the left side of his offensive line for a 20-yard score with 6:57 remaining in the game.

While Ford was able to rack up a lot of yardage, the Pilot Point defense came through when needed with two goal-line stands. The first was in the closing seconds of the first half with the latter coming late in the fourth when the Wildcats were trying to get back into the game.

Kirbyville ended its season with a 12-3 record.

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