3A Team of the Week: Maypearl Panthers

A year ago, Fairfield boatraced Maypearl 63-14. It took no time for the Panthers to prove that they are a different team this year.

In the first quarter, they quickly jumped out to a two-possession lead. It was the beginning of a wild, back-and-forth night. When everyone finally caught their breath at the fourth quarter two-minute timeout, Fairfield led 56-55, but Maypearl had one more card up its sleeve.

Collin Brooks capped off an incredible night with a two-yard touchdown run with under 40 seconds to go to secure a 61-56 victory.

Brooks’ final stat line was straight out of a video game. He ran for 250 yards and six touchdowns, threw for 226 yards and three additional scores, and also had 8.5 tackles on defense.

“What stood out the most to me was how relentless we were,” Maypearl head coach Nick De La Cerda said. “When Fairfield took the lead, our boys didn’t quit or back down. We went down, scored to take the lead, and our defense did their job to hold them and end with a victory. It was a really great game and was special to watch our kids fight to the finish. “

In addition to Brooks’ heroics offensively, Colby Davis had three catches for 86 yards and two scores while Tristan Martinez caught two passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, linebacker Hunter Sword was another standout with 9 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss.

Maypearl stumbled to a 4-7 finish a year ago, and Friday night showed the Panthers are ready to get that bad taste out of their mouths. Up next, another big challenge awaits as they prepare to host defending 3A Division I state runner-up Grandview this Friday at 7:30.