El Campo marches on
November 21, 2009
EL CAMPO – Bryan Sparks was just as worried about his coaches getting on him in the film room as he was going up against a University of Houston committed offensive lineman.
After his performance in El Campo’s 28-7 Class 4A, Division II area win over Houston Yates on Friday, Sparks left Ricebird Stadium feeling pretty good about both.
Sparks, a sophomore with no varsity experience at the start of this season, recorded two sacks, recovered a fumble and had one pass breakup for the Ricebirds who move on to play the winner of Saturday’s Waller-Dayton game. “We had to come out and bow up and do what we were supposed to be doing,” Sparks said whose team held a 14-7 halftime lead before pulling away in the second half. “It’s a crazy feeling here in the playoffs. But I like it.”
The 190-pound defensive end put constant pressure on Yates’ quarterback Darveon Trahan and had little trouble with Chris Hill, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound lineman who has committed to play for the Houston Cougars. Sparks lived in the backfield throughout the game, disrupting Trahan in the passing game and altering the paths of the Lions running backs. “He is a great sophomore and is going to be a really good football player,” said El Campo head coach Bob Gillis of Sparks. “He has worked hard all year and has gotten better and better as the year has gone on. He has been playing really well late in the season and has been making a lot of big plays for us.”
The Ricebirds improve to 9-2 on the year, while Yates ends its season with a 10-2 mark. This is the second straight season El Campo moves on to the regional round of the playoffs and stopped the Lions’ season. The Ricebirds won last year 28-6 in Houston. The El Campo defense held Yates to 189 yards of total offense and without a point after the Lions scored on their opening possession of the game. “He controlled the perimeter and forced everything back up the middle,” said El Campo senior cornerback Landon Appling. “It helps out a lot to have him there. We all depend on each other on defense and he stepped up.”
Sparks’ biggest impact in the game came in the second quarter. He recovered a fumble that lead to a Shaquille Edwards 11-yard touchdown reception from Waylon Malone and had two sacks that totaled minus-6 yards for the Lions. “I was just trying to do what I was supposed to do and keep the quarterback contained,” Sparks said. “I didn’t want to get in trouble when we watch film on this game. I think I’m good with this one.”
Offensive showcase D’vonte Wells was a workhorse for the Ricebirds in the 21-point win over Yates. Wells, a junior, ran the ball 23 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns. “I was just trying to help us move the chains and get going,” Wells said. “Sometimes we put our heads down, but we weren’t going to do that here.” Wells led the offense, which gained 287 yards on the ground and saw Malone throw for 84 yards. In the game, Wells ran for 13 first downs and had six runs of over 10 yards. “D’vonte didn’t come off the field,” Gillis said. “It was great to see him playing like that.” Notes
At it again: Appling continued to slice through defenses with 129 yards rushing and a touchdown. The senior who plays just about everywhere on the field, has now rushed for 1,329 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.
Getting picked on: El Campo cornerback Anthony Cruz stayed busy in the first half defending his side of the field. Cruz had four passes thrown his way and didn’t allow a completion. The senior, who also had two punts that averaged 49 yards, nearly had a forced and recovered fumble but the play was ruled down.
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