MIDLOTHIAN, Texas — Starting on the opening play from scrimmage, the script could not have been written any better for the Waxahachie Indians as all they needed was 108 seconds to gain a 14-0 lead over Everman’s Bulldogs.
Quick plays, quick scores, and a quick lead gave Waxahachie High School (7-4) the momentum it needed as they kept on rolling and defeated the Everman High School 58-21 inside MISD Multi-Purpose Stadium.
Waxahachie dominated from the opening whistle and never gave Everman (7-4) any leverage or momentum and made good on their first postseason appearance since 2012 that allowed Head Coach Jon Kitna to get his first playoff win with the program.
“I don’t know if we ever expect things to happen that fast but we’re an explosive team and sometimes it can happen like that,” Kitna said in regards to Waxahachie’s two interceptions and quick 14-0 lead. “This is the first time any of these kids have been to the playoffs. But to our kids, it was just another game to them honestly. I just liked their approach to it.”
Sherry Milliken/TexasHSFootball
The opening act of the 5A Division II Region II Bi-District game shined the spotlight on Waxahachie and its quick-strike ability with both sides of the ball displaying their prowess.
Quarterback Bryse Salik tossed it to receiver Demani Richardson who tacked on some run after catch yardage on his first pass attempt. Richardson, who doubles as an Indian safety, took Salik’s first pass 69 yards downfield for a touchdown in the opening seconds of the game.
Headlining the first quarter act was Jerreth Sterns, who notched two first-quarter interceptions with his first resulting in an 80-yard pick-6 to give Waxahachie the 14-0 advantage. Sterns would then deliver a defensive encore on the first play of Everman’s ensuing drive that had Waxahachie near midfield.
Bryse Salik would then dissect the defense and get the ball down to the 8-yard line which allowed Demani Richardson to get his second touchdown on a direct snap to him that gave Waxahachie the 21-0 leverage over Everman with still 7:34 remaining in the first quarter.
Sherry Milliken/TexasHSFootball
In the first quarter, the Waxahachie defense limited Everman to 42 total yards on offense, three first downs and three turnovers with Tyler Cash nabbing Waxahachie’s third interception of the quarter.
One play later, Quad’Tavius Donalson got the easy touchdown run from 3-yards out that had head coach Jon Kitna well on his way to his first playoff victory.
Salik finished the night with 226 yards on 14-of-17 passing and three touchdowns. Demani Richardson led the way with 69 receiving yards and a touchdown and Jaden Watson was the night’s leading rusher with 38 yards and a touchdown.
For Everman head coach Dale Keeling, it was a bitter end to a career that spanned 20 seasons at Everman and who finishes with 237 career wins. Keeling was able to go out with a bang however as Everman finished perfect in district play and claimed a district championship in his final season.
Sherry Milliken/TexasHSFootball
Waxahachie is set to play South Oak Cliff next week in the Area Round and for Kitna and Waxahachie, it’s a good feeling.
“It feels great,” Kitna mused. “The most important thing to us is that this means we get seven more days with our kids and these kids truly love each other and there’s a special relationship that they have. I think all-in-all, our kids like winning, they like playing well, they love playing football but most importantly they like being around each other.”
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