Ground attack leads Abilene to Semis

ARLINGTON- It was quick, it was powerful and it was relentless. That's the best way to describe the Abilene Eagles (13-0) ground game as they dominated the Arlington Bowie Volunteers (11-3) to the tune of 35-7 on a cold night at Maverick Stadium on the campus of UT-Arlington.

The man who stole the show was none other than Abilene junior RB Herschel Sims who toted the mail 35 times for 212 yards and 4 touchdowns to lead an Abilene ground attack that put up 341 yards.

Arlington Bowie's high powered offense was held in check as the Volunteers did not pick up a first down until there were five minutes left in the first half. Sophomore RB Russell Hansbrough notched the only Arlington Bowie score on a six yard run with 40 seconds left in the first half.

Abilene's potent ground game got off to a strong start as on the game's second possession the Eagles marched 98 yards in 17 plays to get off to a 7-0 lead on a one yard run by Sims. Sims' cousin Ronnell Sims who plays QB for Abilene was solid throwing for 85 yards and putting up 52 rushing yards.

After a Bowie punt the Eagles jumped up 14-0 early in the second quarter as Sims scored on a three yard run, this score was set up by a beautifully executed screen pass from Ronnell Sims to Zach Mosley. Abilene would force a Bowie punt and extend the lead to 21-0 on Sims' third score of the game from three yards out.

After a stop on 4th and 2 at midfield, the Eagles hit a big play on the ground with Sims capping a short drive from 36 yards out with his fourth score of the night.

Arlington Bowie's defense gave a game effort in the second half but they simply were unable to generate any sort of offense. Abilene's lone score came early in the fourth as Tony Curtis capped a 16 play 86 yard drive with a four yard run.

Abilene will advance to the State Semi-Finals for the second time in three years and they will take on the winner of tomorrow's contest between Tyler John Tyler and Klein next Saturday at 2pm at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco.