Fossil Ridge Offense Impressive in District Opening Win
Advertisement
Senior Analyst, TheOldCoach.com
Email questions or comments to:
KELLER - Keller Fossil Ridge running back Keshawn Mitchell did a little bit of everything for the Panthers (4-0, 1-0) on Thursday night rushing for 281 yards and four touchdowns, throwing a pass for 41 yards and he even caught two passes for 14 yards in a 52-42 homecoming win over the Justin Northwest Texans (2-2, 0-1) on Thursday night. Mitchell's monster night overshadowed a huge game from North Texas verbal commit Northwest wide receiver Emmanuel Moore who hauled eleven passes for 220 yards and five touchdowns, Moore also returned the game's opening kickoff 71 yards.
Northwest signal caller Jesse Drummer finished the night with 302 passing yards and six touchdown passes, while Fossil Ridge QB Bryce Baccarini was outstanding throwing 152 yards and a pair of scores and rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown as the game featured 94 total points 1,013 yards from scrimmage.
Northwest was unable to capitalize on the great field position to start the game as FRHS defensive back Montrel Wilson (who is a Baylor verbal commit) picked off a Drummer pass at the four yard line. Fossil Ridge would quickly march 96 yards scoring on a 37 yard touchdown pass from Baccarini to Cody Seidel. The team's would trade punches most of the remainder of the first half but Ridge would begin to assert control of the game leading 28-14 and having the ball late in the second quarter. The Panthers who were going to receive the second half kickoff decided to go for it facing fourth and six on their own 41 with 1:56 left in the half. The gamble failed for Ridge and it gave reeling Northwest new life, the Texans would capitalize and cut the lead to 28-21 as Drummer threw a 27 yard touchdown pass to Gavin Holmes with six seconds left in the half.
The teams would trade punches most of the third quarter when the game's turning point took place early in the fourth. Fossil Ridge leading by just three at 38-35 faced a fourth and five from the Northwest 32. Instead of kicking a field goal or playing it safe and running a short pass, the Panther staff dialed up a down field pass and it paid off big as Baccarini hooked up with Cameron Castleberry for a 32 yard score and a 45-35 FRHS advantage. Fossil Ridge would get another interception on the ensuing drive this time by Noah Powell and Mitchell would put the game out of reach at 52-35 with his fourth and final scoring run. Northwest would add a late score for window dressing and the final was 52-42.