Defense Carries Allen to Win Over Cedar Hill
Matt SteppClick Here to view this Link.,
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Senior Analyst, TheOldCoach.com
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ALLEN - After allowing a touchdown on their opening defensive series the Class 5A Division I State Champion Allen Eagles (2-0) defense tightened their belts in the second and third quarters against the Cedar Hill Longhorns (1-1) in a 39-20 non-district victory in front of over 15,000 at Eagle Stadium.
Allen's defense which features four FBS commitments did not allow a first down to Cedar Hill in the entire second quarter as the Eagles scored 23 straight points to put plenty of distance between themselves and 2012's 5A Division II State Runner-Up. Overall, Allen allowed 287 yards to Cedar Hill with over half that number coming in the fourth quarter when the game was all but out of reach.
Allen junior quarterback Kyler Murray finished the night with 227 total yards and a touchdown rushing and receiving to pace the AHS attack. While on special teams Northern Illinois verbal commit Mayomi Olootu Jr. blocked a pair of Cedar Hill punts in the second quarter to set up ten Allen points, which helped the Eagles jump out to a 23-7 lead at halftime. Allen struck quickly to open the game scoring on a 26 yard run by Murray, but Cedar Hill had a quick answer as junior wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge hauled in the first of his three touchdown receptions from junior quarterback Justin McMillan as the Longhorns tied the game at seven. Olootu's first blocked punt was returned ten yards by Ryan Johnson to give Allen a 14-7 lead, the second punt block set up the second of Carlos Arochi's three first half field goals for the sixteen point halftime edge for Allen.
After a scoreless third quarter, Allen all but put the game away on a short one yard run by Mev Ajdin making it 30-7. Cedar Hill had a chance to open the second half with a score, driving seven and a half minutes inside the Allen five but a bad snap and two sacks killed the drive.
The two teams would trade scores in a high scoring fourth quarter, as after the short run bu Ajdin, Lodge would haul in a 15 yard pass from McMillian to make it a 30-14 game. Cedar Hill couldn't get a much needed stop to climb back in the game as Murray hooked up with Kendall Clinton for a 22 yard touchdown pass to make it 37-14. Lodge would get a 61 yard touchdown pass from McMillian to end the scoring for CHHS with under a minute left. The PAT was blocked by Allen and returned the other way by Cory Miller to cap off the scoring.