Thought to be two pretty evenly matched 3A teams, Bowie and Brownwood entered the first round of the playoffs with 6-4 records, but Brownwood showed some skill and confidence with a 49-13 win in this 3A Division 2 bi-district playoff game. It was a blowout game that was “fun to watch” according to several Lions’ fans in attendance.
Brownwood running back Stehl Ratliff was in full form, making 6 touchdowns with the help of the offensive line. Brownwood Head Coach Bob Shipley stated that this game was Ratliff’s best performance he’d ever seen.
“This was the best running I’ve seen him do in three years,” stated Shipley.
Overall the team did much better than in much of the regular season and seemed to finally hit their stride working as a team. The Lions did make some mistakes which fortunately did not turn into points for the opponent thanks to a strong Brownwood defense.
“I’m thankful that our defense held,” said Shipley. “Our fumbles, we were able to keep them from scoring.”
Coach Shipley said that he was proud of the team and how hard they all played.
“We did have advantages and we did take advantage defensively,” said Shipley. “Overall, they battened down the hatches when they had to and only gave up two touchdowns.”
The Lions dominated the game offensively with 347 total yards in comparison to Bowies’ 238. The game was more than halfway through the second quarter before Bowie was able to make their initial first down. By the half, Brownwood had a 35-7 lead, but quarterback Mitch Stephens was out with an ankle injury.
During the third quarter, backup quarterback Clint Taylor took the field followed by Matthew McCrane in the fourth to finish up the job in Stephens’ absence.
Shipley said the game was an “incredible and inspirational performance by these kids.” He said that the team will take the playoffs one game at a time in their quest for the state championship. The keys, he said, would be staying healthy and having the right kind of attitude and that these coming games were “for the taking.”
The Lions will advance to the Area round of the playoffs and face either Bridgeport or Glen Rose at Stephenville at 7:30pm Friday, November 18th.
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Highlights and scoring drives:
1st Quarter
8:07 7-0 Ratliff completes the drive for a 1 yd touchdown capping off a 7 play 68 yd drive in 2:18. Mc Cranes makes the extra point.
2nd Quarter
10:45 14-0 A handoff to Ratliff for a 15 yd touchdown, ending the 43 yd 4 play drive.
7:35 21-0 After an interception by McDonald, Ratliff is able to make another touchdown, this time making a 16 yd touchdown, a 71 yd, 7 play drive.
4:20 28-0 Bowie has a turnover, which Brownwood’s Braxton Kilgo recovered and six plays later Ratliff runs in from 3 yards to make another touchdown.
2:28 28-7 Bowie QB Westin Bond carries for a 1yd touchdown, completing a 80 yard 8 play drive.
0:09 35-7 With just seconds left in the half, Ratliff plowed in for a 2 yard touchdown finishing up a 9 play 53 yard drive.
3rd Quarter
11:11 42-7 In the opening seconds of the 3rd quarter, Bowies QB Bond does a reverse screen and throws the wrong direction, no one is there other than Mack Monson who intercepts the pass and runs for a 15 yd touchdown.
6:10 49-7 A handoff to Ratliff results in a 41 yard touchdown.
4th Quarter
2:23 49-13 Bowie scores a touchdown.
Statistics:
BHS Bowie HS
Total Yardage 347 238
Rushing Yards 257 161
Passing 90 77
1st Downs 22 12
