Late surge sends Friendswood past Texas City 33-17

September 29, 2009

   

TEXAS CITY — The flow of the game between Friendswood and Texas City was what usually happens between these two teams. In a District 24-4A opener for both squads - getting win was important for the No. 3 area-ranked Mustangs in their quest to repeat as district champions and making the post-season.

Friendswood beat the Stingarees at home last year, but getting a win at Stingaree Stadium has been a challenge as the Mustangs haven't won in eight previous attempts at Texas City.

The Mustangs got a safety and a one-yard touchdown run by Sam Giamfortone for a 9-0 first quarter lead. Zach Hardy booted a 21-yard field goal giving the 'Stangs a 12-0 lead at intermission.

The Friendswood defense limited Texas City to only 84 yards in the first half.

“Our defense played outstanding," head coach Steve Van Meter said. "They (defense) kept us in the game. I thought we were better up front, and that resulted in a strong defensive effort.”

With 9:48 left in the third period, RB Andrew Cole took a short pass from QB Peter Maetzold and turned it into a 22-yard scoring play giving the 'Stangs a 19-0 lead on their first possession of the second half.

However - Texas City came out fired up in the second half and posted 17-unanswered points to pull within 19-17 with 10:57 left in the final quarter.

That's when Van Meter turned to little sophomore Jonathan Johnson who stepped up big as the speedster scored a couple of touchdowns to give the Mustangs the long-awaited win at Texas City.

At the Sting 27-yard line, Maetzold threw a pass to Johnson in the flat. Johnson juked a pair of Sting defenders and ran in for the 27-yard touchdown.

Later, after Friendswood stopped the Texas City offense two more times, Johnson put the game away with a 41-yard run. Johnson finished the game with 137 total yards.

Cole finished with 91 yards rushing and 24 receiving but injured his right shoulder on the 22-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.

Maetzold was 16-of-29 passing for 240 yards and two TDs. Tyler O'Brian had four catches for 75 yards. Brant Liufau had nine carries for 51 yards.

Defensively, Sam Giamafortone, Brant Liufau, Beau Barnes, Tanner Chidester and Hunter Ratcliff all played great defense. In the second half - the defense made two key stops on fourth down to secure the win.

No. 3 Friendswood faces their biggest challenge this coming Friday when they host No. 1 area-ranked Angleton (4-0, 1-0) at 7:00 p.m. The two teams shared the district last year. The winner will take a huge step to claiming the crown this season.

Top