Waxahachie — During the 29th edition of the Backyard Rivalry, Waxahachie dominated Midlothian from start to finish.
Behind an outstanding performance from Jerrth Sterns, a former Midlothian High School Panther and now Waxahachie High School Indian, made key plays on both sides of the ball, helping seal the homecoming victory for Waxahachie 49-20 at Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium.
The Indians also claimed sole possession of third place in District 10-5A behind Mansfield Lake Ridge and Legacy High Schools, which are both 3-0.
Sterns finished the game with six rushes, 35 yards, and a touchdown, but was most effective in the passing game. He hauled in nine passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns. The senior two-way athlete also added two interceptions on defense and helped lead his team to victory.
“To play that well against your former team, that’s tough to do,” Waxahachie Head Coach Jon Kitna said. “He has such great competitive character and he’s a humble kid. “Jerreth is a model for us, he is a tremendous leader, great in the classroom, he’s everything you wish you could be.”
Behind Bryse Salik’s 287 yards and three touchdowns, the Indians put on a passing clinic in the first half. Sterns was the key target for Salik, finishing the half with 147 yards receiving. Salik finished 21-for-27 with 497 yards and six touchdowns.
“We love our quarterback, he’s one of the best in the state of Texas, we trust him and that’s what we do best,” Kitna continued. “Bryse has been doing this for two years and when you have that much time invested in a kid like that, you want to use him. He’s one of the
best in the business.”
Sherry Milliken/Texas HS Football
The Panthers stunted drives after two crucial turnovers — a fumble and an interception. Midlothian, however, was able to establish a promising drive late in the first quarter before they turned the
ball over on downs and after Austen Thomas was stuffed on a quarterback keeper on 4th and 3.
Midlothian running back and Army commit Laundry Songer was able to get the Panthers on the board, with a 2-yard touchdown run at the 4:18 mark of the second quarter. The Indians quickly countered with touchdowns of 30 and 1yards before the half ended.
Waxahachie was able to tack on four touchdowns in the second half of 75, 16, 60, and 50 yards and only surrendered only two touchdowns to Midlothian during rest of the game.
Thomas finished the game with 20 rushes for 164 yards and was 5-for-12 and threw for 48 yards and two interceptions.
Waxahachie (4-2, 2-1) will face at Associated Press No. 8 Mansfield Legacy High School at 7:30 p.m. next Friday at Vernon Newsom Stadium. Midlothian (2-4, 1-2) hosts Mansfield Lake Ridge High School at 7:30 p.m. at MISD Multi-Purpose Stadium.
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