Consol's Friday Football Standouts
Here are the A&M Consolidated standouts from the Tigers' 45-24 victory over Belton on Friday:
OFFENSIVE BACKS: Senior fullback Marshall Cashion had another big night with 201 yards and three touchdowns on 33 rugged carries, going over 1,000 yards for the season. Junior running back Jarvon Searcy made his biggest contribution since switching from free safety, gaining 55 yards on seven carries and catching two passes for 44 yards.
RECEIVERS: Senior Garrett Smith took advantage of his opportunity when a starter was injured, as Smith made the first three receptions of his career for 54 yards and a touchdown.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Right guard Jordan Dalton led the way with several knockdown blocks as the Tigers ran for 285 yards. Tackle Jose Quintana had five pancake blocks and Alex Veliz also had a good game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Place-kicker Josh Matthews made a 33-yard field goal to start the scoring and hit all seven extra points. Cody Moore punted three times for a 43.3-yard average. Taylor Kieschnick had a big night with five tackles on kick coverage.
LINEBACKERS: Dan Morgan led the team with eight tackles and had a sack. Zach Othold had a strong game with four tackles, including three solo stops and two tackles for loss. Andrew Ellison had two tackles behind the line.
LINEMEN: End Anthony McGruder supplied a spark with five tackles, including four solo stops. Cole Hanks had two quarterback sacks and Brandon Strain made five tackles.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Kip Daily returned an interception 32 yards and made three tackles.
UPON FURTHER REVIEW: The Tigers let Belton come back to tie with game, then scored three touchdowns and kept Belton out of the end zone in the fourth quarter. That was enough for coach Jim Slaughter. "I want this group of kids to win," Slaughter said. "I'm hoping the fact that we're having to go through some tough times and work hard to pull games out will make us a better football team."
Consol got an offensive boost from Jarvon Searcy, who made his biggest contribution since switching from safety to running back three games earlier. Searcy's tough running gave the Tigers another threat to go with Marshall Cashion. Seldom-used Garrett Smith had the game of his life after leading receiver Wes Schill left the game with an injury.
UP NEXT: Consol (4-5, 4-1) will finish the regular season by hosting Harker Heights (1-7, 1-4) on Friday night. The Tigers already are assured of the district's top seed in the 5A Division I playoffs, but have a chance to even their record for the first time this season.
- LARRY BOWEN