On Thursday, I was at Farris stadium as the Brandeis Broncos hosted the Converse Judson Rockets.
When I worked for the Texas Sports Radio Network as the statistician, my primary Friday assignment from 2004-2014 was the Converse Judson Rockets. I definitely have some Converse MOJO flowing through my body. They have won 6 state championships and have 37 consecutive winning seasons. Judson football is also one of the top programs in the state of Texas and they have the most passionate fans and alumni – all around the world.
When I saw this game on the Thursday Night Lights TV schedule, I was super excited – the Judson Rockets were one of the final 2 San Antonio teams playing in the 2014 Playoffs (they lost in the state semi-final). Next Thursday, we get the Steele Knights, who were the other team that lost in the state semi-finals. And, in Week 11 on Thursday, we may just have the Brandeis Broncos playing again for the District 27-6A championship.
I couldn’t wait to see the Judson sophomore quarterback, Julon Williams. In the Judson games I worked last year, he was the running back. I was also looking forward to seeing the Brandeis quarterback, Paul Lozano (whom I interviewed earlier this summer) and running back, Jaylon Dukes – both seniors.
Last year, Brandeis defeated Judson in Converse by a score of 27 to 14. Judson had 7 turnovers and Brandeis capitalized on them. The Brandeis Broncos never feared the MOJO of Judson and Rutledge stadium. They looked calm, cool, and collected! Julon Williams had 6 carries for 32 yards as the running back– he switched to quarterback later in the season. Jaylon Dukes had 15 carries for 108 yards with 1 touchdown and Paul Lozano was 6 of 10 passing for just 87 yards (he suffered an injury and didn’t play for most of the game).
Julon finished his freshman year with 1,147 passing yards and 855 rushing yards with 19 total touchdowns. Paul Lozano was 104 for 185 passing with 1,972 yards with 15 touchdowns and 3 interceptions and Jaylon Dukes had 198 carries for 1,613 yards with 27 touchdowns.
I was expecting a very close game and quite possibly, the team with the ball last would win the game.
So, if you would’ve told me that the final score was 42 to 14 and that one team had as many yards passing as the other team, I would’ve said, “NO WAY.” Well, folks, that is exactly what happened.
I guess I should tell you the team that I am talking about: the CONVERSE JUDSON ROCKETS. They defeated Brandeis by a final score of 42 to 14.
It’s time for the STATMAN to show off a bunch of stats from the game (this is my favorite part).
The Brandeis Broncos had 180 total yards. Jaylon Dukes had 21 carries for 63 yards and his backup Tommy Woods had 14 carries for 55 yards with 1 touchdown. Paul Lozano was 6 of 12 passing for 59 yards with 1 interception. The Broncos played hard till the bitter end and never did I see them with their heads down in frustration.
I am not at all concerned about Brandeis even though they started the season with 0 wins and 2 losses. They will bounce back with a vengeance and will be a force in the playoffs. Last year, Judson started with 0 wins and 2 losses and they lost in the state semi-finals. Since I want to see Brandeis again before Week 11 (when they may play for the District 27-6A championship), I am going to add a Week 5 game when they play the Taft Raiders to my football schedule.
Brandeis really struggled on offense and that was primarily because of the Judson defensive players, Alton Robinson (he verbally committed to Texas A&M this summer), Xavier Morris and Dominque Ramsey.
The Judson Rockets had 432 total yards and no turnovers. Julon Williams was 9 of 18 passing for 180 yards with 2 touchdowns and he also had 8 carries for 19 yards. Julon looks like a veteran as the quarterback. Dominque Ramsey, one of the extraordinary defensive players, had a 17-yard touchdown reception and the first play of the 3rd quarter was a 73 yard touchdown pass from Williams to senior Dreshon Govan. Junior Brycen Coleman had 4 receptions for 72 yards.
That 73-yard touchdown play put the dagger in the Brandeis Broncos because they trailed 21 to 7 at halftime. I always hear that the first drive of the 3rd quarter is crucial. Had Brandeis stopped Judson and scored a touchdown on their drive, this game would’ve been much closer rather than a blowout.
Mi’kel Jackson, a junior running back, had 10 carries for 60 yards with 2 touchdowns; Demerion Clark, a junior quarterback, had 4 carries for 45 yards with 1 touchdown; Joshua West, another junior running back, had 1 carry for 10 yards; Jay Miller, a sophomore running back, had 6 carries for 54 yards with 1 touchdown; and Sincere McCormick, a freshman running back, had 5 carries for 67 yards.
I was extremely impressed with the Judson Rockets — they are solid on offense and defense and are very young (all 7 running backs who ran the ball are underclassmen, and the leading rusher was a freshman). They are only going to get better as the season progress and that is bad news for all the teams they will play. I get to see them again in Week 10 when they host New Braunfels Canyon and Week 11 when they play at Smithson Valley, but I am really considering seeing them in Week 5 when they host the Clemens Buffaloes.
Tonight, I will be at Heroes stadium as the Johnson Jaguars host the Cedar Ridge Raiders and my wife paints our bathroom.
Next Thursday, I will be at Farris stadium as the O’Connor Panthers host the Steele Knights. On Friday, I will be at Farris stadium again as the Brennan Bears host the Manor Mustangs.
Follow me on Twitter @statmanspeaks for game day updates.
Below are a few teaser photos:
