Friendswood stampedes past Lamar Consolidated 36-20

November 17, 2009

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GANG TACKLING - The Friendswood defense has been instrumental in the final push of the season leading to the playoffs. The Mustangs limited Lamar Consolidated to only 280 total yards including -minus 7-yards rushing. Friendswood will need to step up again when they face Houston Wheatley on Saturday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. at Galena Park ISD Stadium. (Photo by Bob Brown)

GALENA PARK — After Friendswood lost to Lamar Consolidated three years ago -- the battle of the Mustangs has belonged to Friendswood who has knocked off the former 2007 state champions two of the past four years they have faced one another in the post-season. The two teams didn't meet in 2007 which was the year Lamar won the state title.

Friendswood lost to Lamar and the Rodgers brothers, who are now standouts for Oregon State, 44-22 in 2006. Friendswood returned the favor last year with a close 28-24 victory that sent them to the 4A Region III championship and the state semifinals. For the second year in a row - Friendswood eliminated Lamar (4-6) in the opening round 36-20.

The game between these two teams was a tale of two halves. The first half was dominated by Lamar and the mistakes by Friendswood.

Friendswood fumbled on a kickoff which was recovered by Lamar and turned into a two-yard touchdown by Marcel Threat for a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter.

Quarterback Peter Maetzold put Friendswood on the scoreboard first with a 14-yard scoring strike to Keith Canada. Zach Hardy nailed the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Lamar came back to score on a 32-yard scoring pass to tie up the game and then took the lead following the fumble on the kickoff return. The Mustangs scored a minute and 30 seconds later.

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PICKING UP YARDS - Senior running back Andrew Cole (11) was the leading ball carrier for the Mustangs with 19 carries for 118 yards as Friendswood eliminated Lamar Consolidated 36-20 in the first round of the playoffs. Cole follows the lead blocking of senior Sean Golz (51) who has played a big role on the offensive line this season. Friendswood faces Houston Wheatley on Saturday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Galena Park ISD Stadium. (Photo by Bob Brown)

After Friendswood got a safety to cut the lead to 14-9 - Matt Kennemer hauled in a 13-yard scoring pass with only 35 seconds left before intermission for a 16-14 halftime lead.   

It was all Friendswood in the second half outscoring Lamar 20-6 for the 36-20 win.

“I was proud of our guys,” said Friendswood coach Steve Van Meter. “We had a lot of opportunities to hang our heads and pout in the first half. But instead, we kept chugging away and we played a lot better in the second half.”

Jonathan Johnson scored on a 25-yard pass from Maetzold, Kennermer scored again on a 33-yard scoring toss and Canada closed out the scoring with a 15 yard pass reception from Maetzold.

Friendswood amassed 448 total yards and 26 touchdowns while the Friendswood defense limited Lamar to 280 total yards including -minus 17 rushing and 11 first downs.

Keith Canada (4 receptions, 53 yards) and Kennemer (6-77) had two scoring grabs apiece. Cole finished with 130 total yards, 110 on 19 rushes.   

Beau Barnes came up with a big hit that caused a fumble to set up one touchdown. Barnes also had three sacks that provided inspiration to the rest of his defensive teammates.

The Mustangs will need to stay focused when they travel to Galena Park ISD to face Houston Wheatley (7-4) on Saturday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m.

For those who can't go - go to: www.reporternewssports.com and click on the LiveBlog and keep up with the play-by-play details of the game. You can also participate in the discussion.

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