"Finish Up Strong"
DHS Goes for Last Game Win
By: Dwyane Wilder
In 2010, the Denison High School Football Team did something no other team in school history did; they started a season 0-8. It’s not a record you brag about even if you ‘bested’ the team from 1919 (0-6). No, you move passed it and notch that first win and look to the future. And that’s just what the Yellow Jackets did last Friday night in Greenville.
The Jackets rode a second half surge and beat the also winless Lions, 41-24, at Cotton Ford Stadium.
“It’s good to get a win; it’s good for the kids to get one,” said Coach Cody White, who is completing his four season as head coach. “We had to overcome a lot but we had a good second half.”
Part of what they had to overcome was the loss of senior running back/linebacker Stacy Goldston. On the third play of the game, Goldston suffered a high ankle sprang and did not return.
“When we lost Stacy, that hurt,” said White.
Playing running back for the first time on the varsity level, Golston was the leading rusher on the Jacket team in 2010 with 732 yards on 96 attempts. His status is unknown for the finale at home against Mount Pleasant Friday night.
According to White, Hayden Chapman picked up the slack with 113 yards on 10 carries in place of Goldston; while quarterback Clifton Jackson added 103 yards and running back Dre Butler notched 97 more yards on 18 carries.
“We were down at the half, 17-14, but in the third period we score, then they tied it,” explained White. “Then, we scored 17 straight unanswered points. Our offensive line controlled the game.”
White also noted that Jackson, his sophomore quarterback, had a ‘good one’ at Greenville.
“He has a lot of stuff to improve on but he did a good job for us Friday,” said White.
He also praised Chapman and receiver Zach Daniel, who had 87 yard receiving on four catches. White also singled out Dillon McConnell on defense.
Overall, the Jacket offense had 469 yards of offense with Daniel and Jackson both scoring two touchdowns. Chapman added another while Dalton Hestand was perfect on PATs and his two field goal tries. The team only had five penalties for 35 yards.
The season finale against Mount Pleasant will not be easy, according to White.
“They are physical upfront and have quality players at quarterback and receiver,” he said. “They are solid on defense, too.”
One wrinkle is that Mt. Pleasant runs the ‘option’ offense; something that the Jackets don’t see often.
“We will have to play good ‘assignment’ football; we won’t get many chances if we miss them,” said White.
In addition, Friday night will be Senior Night for the 19 seniors on the team. And it will also be the last home game of the year.
“We want to finish up strong; have a good taste in our mouths,” explained White. “So, we can go into the off-season on a positive note and great ready for next year.”
