Mineola runs over Rains

Yellowjackets take aim at top spot in district

Posted 11/4/20

The fast-paced no-huddle offense can have big rewards, but it also brings its own burdens. Each possession becomes doubly critical when facing a team – like Mineola – that can drain the clock with long drives and score.

The Rains Wildcats found that out in Mineola last Friday as the relentless Yellowjacket offense and timely second-half defense recorded a 55-30 win over the visiting Rains Wildcats.

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Mineola runs over Rains

Yellowjackets take aim at top spot in district

Posted

The fast-paced no-huddle offense can have big rewards, but it also brings its own burdens. Each possession becomes doubly critical when facing a team – like Mineola – that can drain the clock with long drives and score.

The Rains Wildcats found that out in Mineola last Friday as the relentless Yellowjacket offense and timely second-half defense recorded a 55-30 win over the visiting Rains Wildcats.

Mineola scored touchdowns on five of their six first-half possessions. Drives of 69, 79, 63, 62 and 65 yards featured a punishing running attack. Rains found the end zone three times in their six first-half possessions. The halftime score stood 35-23, Mineola. 

With each possession in which Rains did not capitalize, the distance between the two teams widened. Mineola held Rains to only 103 yards from scrimmage in the second half. The sole Wildcat score in the second half was a 90-yard kickoff return. 

Meanwhile, the Trevion Sneed and Dawson Pendergrass one-two combination ate up yardage and produced three second-half Yellowjacket end zone celebrations. 

Sneed finished with 303 yards on 36 carries. Pendergrass tallied 224 yards on 22 carries. Those combined values yield a team rushing average of 10.1 yards per carry. Relentless. 

Those who have watched Trevion Sneed over his career at Mineola have been blessed to see an athlete mature into one of the most dominating in East Texas. With each game this season, Sneed has produced several runs which defy explanation. Two such runs stand-out from Friday. 

On a second-and-7 from the Rains 27-yard line, Sneed sliced through the left side, was hit by several tacklers, and became turned 180 degrees. He then backed and accelerated backward for a 22 yard gain – breaking tackles as he powered east toward the goal line. 

During Mineola’s first possession Sneed was well-defended on a sweep around the left end. He lept above the tacklers, in what appeared to be an effort to land atop of them and catapult himself off their bodies. It was not a predictable hurdle. It was beautiful in both its intent and as an act of physical prowess.

The second half of the Yellowjacket backfield, sophomore Dawson Pendergrass, has been steadily building his resume as well. The Rains defense consistently underestimated his speed and took poor angles to intercept him in the secondary. 

Coach Luke Blackwell’s team is just that: a team. However, these two young men have consistently overachieved both as amazing runners as well as defensive stalwarts. 

They were not the only stand-outs on the night. Had a defensive MVP been selected, Kobe Kendrick would have shared the award with Sneed.  Of note, sophomore Adam Blalock started in the defensive secondary and made an early impact.

Senior leader Thomas Hooton ended an early Wildcat threat by making an excellent play at the goal line to intercept a well-thrown ball. He perfectly played the “under” technique on the coverage and made a difficult play look easy.

Junior Oliver Barnes made a number of penetrating tackles and assists from his defensive line position in the second half. Classmate Coy Anderson made a hammer-like tackle in the Wildcat backfield creating a turnover. The Jackets scored two plays later. That sequence psychologically defeated the Wildcats. 

As always, there will be plenty for the Yellowjackets to clean up before the playoffs. The ability of Rains to exploit the defense with the quarterback draw play will be chief among them. The ability to quickly shed blockers at the point of attack also will be honed.  

The fortuitous victory of Pottsboro over Mount Vernon puts the number one playoff seed in Mineola’s hands. A win over Commerce, which based on this season’s records should be forthcoming, will facilitate an advantageous start to the playoffs for the Yellowjackets.