SMA secures playoff berth with win over John Paul II

Friday’s win hasn’t fully sunk in with senior defensive end Gordon Murphy. 

San Marcos Academy knocked off New Braunfels John Paul II, 20-7, on Friday inside Ingram Stadium, and with it essentially secured a spot in the playoffs. Sure, head coach Les Davis says there are crazy possibilities that could unfold that would keep the Bears out of the playoffs. But SMA has no plans on settling with a playoff spot all but clinched. 

“(Securing a playoff berth) is great. It’s amazing,” Murphy said. “It’s kind of surreal right now. I’m sure it’ll sink in later. But it’s something that we’ve never experienced. I’m really looking forward to it.” 

SMA (6-2, 1-1) took care of business against John Paul II (2-6, 0-2). The Bears started deep in Guardians territory on their first possession after a strong kickoff return got them to their opponent’s 13. Junior running back Robby Newman put SMA on the board with 13-yard run.

But John Paul II answered with a 3-yard run for a score by junior running back Clayton Bradley. 

The Guardians had an opportunity to take their first lead of the night late in the second quarter but the Bears came up with a blocked field goal to keep the score knotted at 7-7. 

SMA regained the lead midway through the third quarter with a 4-yard quarterback keeper to the end zone by senior Bryce Patterson. 

The Bears kept momentum in their favor when they blocked a John Paul II punt, which set up a touchdown drive. SMA extended its lead when Patterson found the end zone on another quarterback run. 

The Bears’ defense held strong throughout the fourth quarter to secure the 20-7 victory. 

Davis said controlling the team’s emotions was key to Friday’s playoff-clinching win. 

“You know the kids have been in this position where you’re trying to earn a playoff spot and so I think some of us early on were trying to do a little too much,” Davis said. “But once they played within themselves, we got great performances out of a bunch of kids. I’d like to praise our offensive line, they’re getting better and better and better. (John Paul II was) crowding the ball and we were still able to run the ball successfully so that’s good.” 

With three big special teams plays against the Guardians, SMA realizes the importance of that part of the game. 

“Special teams is everything,” said senior safety Daven Meredith, who recorded the blocked punt. “Our coach, Coach Wade, special teams coach, preaches it. We live by it in special teams. Games come win or loss by special teams all the time and tonight sure did.” 

Although the Bears know they’re likely headed to the playoffs, they aren’t looking too far ahead as they prepare to take on Texas School for the Deaf on Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Austin. 

“Both of us (Meredith and Murphy) are four year seniors, the last three years we’ve gone 1-9 and never made the playoffs,” Murphy said. “This guarantees our spot in the playoffs. We can’t let it get to our head. We have to keep pushing through the rest of the district games but this is a big win for us.”