A relentless ground attack fueled the Mineola Yellow Jackets to a 42-14 victory over the visiting Wills Point Tigers. The Yellow Jackets broke open a close football game mid-way through the third quarter with three consecutive touchdown drives. The Mineola defense played shut-out football in the second half, causing two Tiger turnovers and holding the visitors to two three-and-outs in four second half possessions.

Opening day jitters were evident at the onset as Mineola was stuffed on the initial drive of the game. After receiving a Mineola punt, which was fumbled out of bounds, the Tigers then coughed the ball up on their very first offensive play giving the ball to the Yellow Jackets deep in Tiger territory. Two plays later senior Quarterback Shaw Franklin slashed into the end zone from eight yards out. The point after touchdown was wide left and was preceded by a procedure penalty which made the extra point a 25 yard kick.

The Tigers answered with a nine-play scoring drive. The drive featured a key deep in-route completion following an offensive holding call and a beautiful 22 yard touchdown run by running back Stephan Bradley. Mineola’s goal line defense stonewalled the two point conversion attempt.

With the score tied 6 -6, the teams traded long periods of possession but without a scoring result. Mineola held the ball for nine plays before turning it over on downs, while Wills Point’s eight play drive ended in a punt. The next Mineola possession saw the one – two punch of Franklin and Running Back Trevion Sneed, as Franklin ripped off a large gain on a QB draw, and Sneed took the next handoff for a spectacular 29 yard touchdown run. The point after touchdown made the score 13-6 early in the second quarter.

After holding the Tigers on the ensuing possession, the Yellow Jackets moved with urgency from their own 42. Mixing a timely out route completion to receiver Cole Castleberry with the punishing running of Sneed and the elusiveness of Franklin, the Yellow Jackets took a 19-6 lead on a one yard Franklin keeper. A successful point after touchdown made the lead 20-6.

The Wills Point squad came to compete, and proved it on the next drive. They moved 68 yards in seven plays to score just before the half. A nicely choreographed flag pattern on the two point conversion made the score 20-14 at the half.

The game which had been so evenly matched in the first half (seven first downs per side, and each team with one turnover), became a dominating performance for the Mineola Yellow Jackets. Mineola recorded scoring drives of twelve plays, three plays and seven plays, with 75 per cent of their snaps featuring a grinding and relentless running attack. Only the loss of a fumble early in the third period marred the Yellow Jackets’ performance in the second half. Mineola recorded nine first downs in the second half while holding their opponents to only one. They also won the second half turnover battle by forcing two fumbles and an interception.

The initial outing of the 2018 campaign made several things clear to all in attendance. Sophomore Trevion Sneed runs with sheer power. Quarterback Franklin throws a beautiful long ball and has unexpected speed and elusiveness. The Mineola defense can indeed step it up several notches when needed, and the offensive line is continuing the legacy of Mineola football.