Thanks to Jesse Patlan for this writeup. Jesse Patlan is a freelance writer and proud owner of Roly Poly Rolled Sandwiches, a quick service restaurant in Allen, TX.

Abilene Wylie didn’t have a rabbit to run but they did have the biggest dog in the hunt in their 28-0 Class 3A Division I state semifinal triumph over the Royse City Bulldogs Friday night at Texas Stadium. In a manner of speaking, West Texas cannas familiaris proved the better brand of dog and Wylie advances to meet Cuero, 27-17 victors over Palestine, for the Division I Class 3A state title at a time and site to be determined.

Wylie displayed a no-nonsense offense and a disciplined defense in the win. Wylie employed a basic power offense and a sound defense to dominate Royse City from the opening kickoff. The Bulldogs lined up three wide receivers on some sets but they ran straight at Royse City for the most part. Wylie’s defenders weren’t fooled by Royse City’s offensive wizardry. They stayed in their rush lanes and made plays.

The Bulldogs hammered out a 17 play drive for the game’s opening score. The drive was marked by a critical offside penalty on fourth down against Royse City that sustained Wylie’s drive. After gaining new life, FB Michael Kiger opened the scoring on a four yard carry.

Wylie added a second touchdown and jumped out to a 14-0 lead after one quarter of play.

Royce City took over at its own 41 after a Wylie pooch kick. Jacob Garcia was dropped for a 3 yard loss. On 3rd and 13 Garcia took a handoff and was tackled for an 11 yard loss. Royce City was forced to punt the ball on a three and out. A penalty against Wylie moved the ball back to the 23 yard line with 9:13 left to play in the 2nd stanza.

Wylie went three and out on the ensuing possession and punted to Royse City. Royse City’s Brandon Jocelyn averted disaster by covering a fumbled punt for the Bulldogs.

Mapps was dropped for an eight yard loss on first and ten from the Royse City 42 yard line. Two incompletions later and Royce City was forced to punt back to Wylie.

A 24 yard punt set up Wylie at its own 42 yard line. Michael Kiger burst through the middle of the Royse City defense for 13 yards on a draw play giving Wylie a first and ten at the Royse City 45 yard line. Penalties then stymied the Bulldogs. An illegal forward pass against Wylie negated a first down. Case Keenum’s scramble down the Wylie sideline for 17 yards and a first down was negated by a holding call. Keenum’s completion to wide receiver Josh Poorman fell six yards short of clearing for a first down and Wylie was forced to punt.

On it ensuing possession QB James Mapps dialed his own number on an option keeper for 28 yards and a first down. The keeper gave Royse City breathing room and a fresh set of downs at the 39 yard line. Two plays later RB Cameron Holliness gained eighteen yards for a first down at the Wylie 42 yard line. On 2nd and ten Robert Davis took an end around and burst through the line of scrimmage for an apparent first down deep in Wylie territory. However, he was separated from the ball by a jarring hit by LB Jacob Jennings. Levi Wolfe recovered for the West Texans.

Wylie took over after the fumble but was forced to punt with 12 seconds left to play in the half. Keenum dropped the snap from center and was promptly covered by a Royse City defender with eight ticks left on the clock. A desperation heave by Mapps fell incomplete in the end zone ending the first half with Abilene Wylie ahead, 14-0.

Abilene Wylie displayed a stout defense in the first half. Wylie defenders were not fooled by Royse City’s misdirection. The Bulldogs dropped Royse City ball carriers for losses on numerous plays.

The Wylie defense continued the trend to open the second half. The Bulldogs forced a punt after a three-and-out possession by Royse City. Wylie’s defenders stuck to assignment football and stymied Royse City carriers. A dropped pass on second down thwarted what would have been an eight yard gain.

A poor punt gave Wylie possession at the Royse City 37 yard line.

Wylie extended its lead to 21-0 seven plays later on a QB sneek by Keenum from one yard out. The drive was marked by an eleven yard completion from Keenum to Scott Castleberry that gave Wylie a first and goal at the three yard line.

Consecutive miscues by Royse City prevented any comeback effort by the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs were forced to turn over the ball on downs after an eleven play drive stalled at the Wylie 36 yard line. Royse City WR Mason Morris was dropped for a two yard loss on fourth and two on an end around play. A fumbled punt gave Wylie possession deep in Royse City territory after the Bulldogs stopped Wylie. The latter led to an eight play 38 yard drive for a touchdown and a 28-0 lead for Wylie with 9 minutes remaining in the game.

Royse City’s final drive of the evening ended at Wylie’s six yard line when Wylie made a defensive play to turn the ball over on downs and preserve the shutout at the six yard line with less than five minutes remaining in the game.

Royse City’s Jarrell Howard was carted off the field with less than three minutes remaining in the game.