CONROE - The Bellville High School football team is strolling to the state semifinals with a huge win against Jasper High School Dec. 1 at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Conroe with a final score of 31-7. Jasper made things close in the first half until Bellville settled in and played their normal game of running the football and forcing turnovers to win the contest handedly.
"It took us getting over a little bit of shell shock," said Bellville head coach Grady Rowe.
"I think they came out and they hit us in the mouth. They did what we’ve been doing to everybody. Special teams was really good. They won the field position battle early. They created a turnover and they scored early. We kind of had to regather ourselves a little bit and refocus. We're not gonna blow everybody out. I think they did a great job of refocusing and getting ready. Our offensive staff did a great job of making adjustments at halftime and we were able to pull out the win." Brahmas junior running back DD Murray helped carry his team to victory with 15 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a crucial interception in the fourth quarter. "It was cool today," Murray said on his performance. "It was very good. I got to do better next time, though, because I took some plays off. I just got to succeed next round." Jasper struck first with a 15 yard touchdown catch under double coverage from junior tight end Kiotti Armstrong at the 7:15 mark in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead. The score stayed the same after the first quarter and Bellville's Murray tied the game up at seven with about three minutes to play in the second quarter on a 15-yarder of his own, except this was a run play. Brahmas senior kicker Fernando Grajales then kicked a 25 yard field goal in the final seconds of the half to put his team ahead 10-7 at halftime.
About midway through the third quarter, Bellville took a 17-7 advan-tage after a pass from senior quarterback Zach Leuschner and a catch from senior receiver Hunter Kunkel for 18 yards in the front left corner of the end zone. This was the only score of the third quarter, then Bellville put their foot on the gas with a quarterback sneak from Leuschner at the goal line for a touchdown after an efficient running drive. This was followed by Murray's interception and his 73 yard run down the Bellville sideline at the seven minute mark for the team's final trip to the end zone and a 31-7 win. Bellville will take on Wimberley High School Friday, December 8 at Pflugerville High School at 7:30pm with a trip to Cowboy Stadium on the line and a state championship birth.
