The Pottsboro athletic department has a good memory. They have not forgotten the 2020 season, when the Cardinals dominated the first half of play and built a big lead only to watch Mineola storm back and record a 57-49 win. No doubt, revisiting that game is part of the Cardinals’ preparation each time they meet Mineola on the gridiron. 

The Pottsboro team left no room at the margins Friday night. They secured the line of scrimmage throughout the game and sent the Yellowjackets home with a 47-19 loss. 

Pottsboro racked up 300 yards of offense in the first half (405 yards on the night), and they found the end zone on their first seven possessions. That is pretty much a one-sided affair.

The Cardinals walled off the Yellowjacket defense by exploiting the considerable size differential between the Pottsboro offensive line and the Mineola defensive linemen and linebackers. Even when not directly influenced by a block, the size of the Pottsboro line prevented Mineola from arriving at the correct place to affect a tackle. 

When the Yellowjacket defense was in the correct place to make a tackle, they had to contend with a stable of backs who were shifty and strong.  

Missed tackles plagued the Jackets throughout the game. On a kick-off return late in the first half, Mineola missed seven tackling opportunities on the Cardinal returner. Pottsboro scored four plays later. 

There was a moment, early on, when the complexion of the game could have been fundamentally changed. Pottsboro drove 55-yards to score on the opening possession of the game. JaMarcus Kennedy returned the ensuing kick-off to midfield. 

On the Jackets first snap from scrimmage, Dawson Pendergrass sliced through the Cardinal defense and accelerated 50 yards for an apparent score. The play was nullified by a penalty. Had that score stood, there is speculation that the very nature of the game may have changed. 

As it was, on the next play, a Cardinal defensive back undercut an out-route throw from TJ Moreland to Braydon Alley and intercepted the ball. Pottsboro scored two plays later.

The temper of the game was set. It was going to be a long night for the Jackets.

Down by 28 points midway through the second quarter, Mineola leaned heavily on the resiliency and power of Pendergrass. The senior carried four times on the 5-play, 73-yard drive to put Mineola in the end zone.  

Pendergrass carried 26 times for 216 yards – 75% of the Jackets offense. His effort never changed. On Mineola’s opening drive of the second half, he ran over two defenders on a 19-yard ramble and scored by slashing to the corner of the end zone from 16 yards out. 

Mineola proved they could score, but on this night, they could not stop Pottsboro. The Cardinals responded by scoring from midfield on a 49-yard run. There were a handful of missed tackles on the play.         

The Jackets generated one more long offensive effort, but it resulted in turning the ball over on downs at the Pottsboro 11-yard line.

Late in the game, a glimpse of future Yellowjacket teams was in evidence. From the Pottsboro 35-yard line, junior left guard Bryson Myers double-teamed the nose guard with center Tanner Crenshaw. Myers came off the double-team to get a second block on a Pottsboro linebacker. Sophomore right tackle David Reyes pulled down the line and sealed the backside. Tommy Trent took the ball through the inside gap, ran over the Pottsboro safety and scrambled to the end zone. It was a thing of beauty.

Mineola will take advantage of the upcoming bye week before hosting Bonham on Oct. 14.