PHAM BOOTS CUBS INTO REGION SEMI’S

The smallest player on the field made the biggest play of the Brenham Cubs’ season as Tien Pham booted a 25-yard field goal with no time left on the clock, giving the Cubs a 45-42 Area Round playoff win over Elgin.

Tien Pham kicks the Cubs into the Region Semifnals. (Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)
Tien Pham kicks the Cubs into the Region Semifnals.
(Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)

The game appeared headed to overtime after Elgin came from 21 points down to eventually tie the game at 42-42.

But with less than a minute to go, the Wildcats (7-5) were forced to punt the ball away, giving the Cubs (9-3) the ball at their own 45-yard line.

With no timeouts left, Caleb Hill hit Earnest Patterson for 16-yards to the Wildcats’ 39.  After clocking the ball, Hill then fired a 26-yard completion to Jonathan Homan at the Wildcats’ 16-yard line.

Caleb Hill threw three touchdown passes and ran for another. (Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)
Caleb Hill threw three touchdown passes and ran for another.
(Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)

However, Homan was tackled inbounds and the game seemed destined for overtime.  But a single piece of yellow linen may have saved the Cubs’ season.  Elgin was called for a personal foul, which stopped the clock momentarily and marked the ball at the eight yard line.

The pressure then was planted squarely on the shoulders of deep snapper George Newman who would have less than two-seconds after the referees whistle to snap the ball—accurately to holder Jacob Oehrlein.  Newman’s snap was on the money and Oehrlein’s hold perfect as Pham delivered the field goal and a berth in the Region Semifinals.

“Caleb Hill and Ernest Patterson each had a great game”, said Cubs head coach Glen West.  “But how about George Newman and Jacob Oehrlein?  It was just amazing!  It couldn’t have been any better.”

The kick ended an epic battle that saw the Cubs twice with leads of 21-points, only to see the Wildcats battle back.  “That’s why they’re (Elgin) in the second round of the playoffs”, said West.  That’s why they’ve been three rounds deep in the playoffs the last two years…they’re not going to quit.  They kept fighting—they’re tough.”

Jaquay Cross makes another acrobatic touchdown catch. (Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)
Jaquay Cross makes another acrobatic catch.
(Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)

“We just didn’t give up.  Things were not looking good near the end, but we made a couple of plays.”

Brenham took the early lead on Hill’s 10-yard run, followed two-minutes later by Patterson’s 65-yard punt return.  After a Wildcat turnover, Hill hit Jaquay Cross for a 16-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead.

Jacob Smith scored the first of his five touchdowns on the ensuing kickoff, racing 75-yards for the score.

Cole Kenjura recovers a Wildcat fumble that led to a Cubs' touchdown. (Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)
Cole Kenjura recovers a Wildcat fumble that led to a Cubs' touchdown.
(Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)

Midway through the second quarter Douglas Irby caught a 39-yard pass from Kyle Snell, and the Wildcats had cut the lead to 21-14.

On the Cubs’ next possession they tried a little razzle-dazzle, as Walter Thomas lined up at quarterback and Hill at wideout.  Hill came around to take a pitch from Thomas, who then sprinted down field to catch a 47-yard touchdown pass , giving Brenham a 28-14 lead.

With just over 2:00 left in the half, Patterson extended the lead back to 21-points with a 3-yard run.

But in less than a minute-and-a-half, Elgin marched downfield an Smith cut the lead to 35-21 at the half.

Al'Fondrick Bennett is right in the quartback's face. (Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)
Al'Fondrick Bennett is right in the quartback's face.
(Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)

A Cub turnover early in the second half led to Smith’s second TD run and again cut the lead to a touchdown, 35-28.

Early in the fourth quarter, Trumaine Sweed extended the lead back to two touchdowns, 42-28, with a 71-yard play-action pass from Hill.

That lead was cut to a touchdown once-again when Elgin marched downfield for another Smith TD run.

Elgin tied the game with 2:48 remaining, when the Wildcats marched 80 yards in seven plays, culminating in Smith’s fourth rushing touchdown of the evening.  Smith also got the call for the two-point conversion, knotting the game at 42-42.

Cubs' coach Glen West. (Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)
Cubs' coach Glen West.
(Courtesy: Dr. Robert Stark)

“Hey, that’s what playoff football is all about”, said West.  “Making memories.”

Hill had another big playoff effort, throwing for 243 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 90 yards and another score.

Patterson finished with a hard-fought 105 yards and a touchdown, while Sweed caught three passed for 88 yards and a touchdown, and Thomas had three catches for 79 yards and a score.

“We’re playing next week,” said West.  “It’s Thanksgiving and I’m busy.  That turkey’s going to taste so good!”

The win sets up the Cubs in the Region Semifinal against either Crosby or Port Lavaca Calhoun.  Those teams meet Saturday afternoon in San Antonio.

If the Cubs face Crosby the game will be Saturday back at Woodforest Bank Stadium.  If Calhoun wins, the game could be in San Marcos or possibly the Houston-area, Saturday.

The game, wherever and whenever, will be heard live on KWHI and www.kwhi.com.

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