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By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
MALAKOFF — The Kemp Yellowjackets kept their district record perfect Friday night, beating the Malakoff Tigers 22-20 to end the regular season.
The key play came with less than two minutes left when, with the score tied 20-20 and Malakoff lining up for an extra point to take its first lead of the game, a Kemp player leaped over the Malakoff line to block the kick. The ball was tracked down by Yellowjacket Jaise Bowie and returned 78 yards for a Kemp 2-point conversion.
It was a game of big plays, big penalties, injuries, shifting momentum and an unmistakable undertone of animosity.
As always, here are my 10 Observations and Game Balls.
— Let’s deal with the blocked extra point right up front. The Malakoff sideline and stands were upset a flag wasn’t thrown for a Kemp player leaping over the Tiger center. I spoke briefly with the referee after the game and he said the Kemp player jumped through a gap in the line and that is legal, so that is why there was no flag. Either way, you have to give credit to Yellowjacket Jaise Bowie for making a big play when it looked like Malakoff was going to complete a most improbable comeback.
— Speaking of that comeback, Malakoff was down 20-0 late in the third quarter, Kemp’s stands were going crazy and the Yellowjackets were in complete control. Tiger quarterback Darion Peace was playing on an injured leg and starting running back Keevie Rose was dealing with an ankle injury that eventually sent him to the bench for the second and final time in the fourth quarter. The Tiger sideline was as low as I’ve felt it in 10 years of covering Coach Jamie Driskell’s team. … All of which makes the fact that the Tigers came back to tie the score and were just an extra point from winning all the more incredible. Amazing job of coaching and display of heart from the Tigers.
— Malakoff’s Darion Peace played all but seven plays Friday night on an injured leg. He was hurt on the first drive of the game when he was inadvertently kicked going into the end zone on a play that was called back for a penalty. Peace gained 15 yards on two runs before being injured and minus-28 on eight carries after that. But the sophomore gutted it out for the Tigers and threw three touchdown passes in a little less than a quarter of play: 26 yards to Nathan Jones, 78 yards to Kaderrius Thomas, and 34 yards again to Jones. Game ball to Peace.
— Kemp quarterback Cameron Clamon had an outstanding game and carried the Yellowjackets on his shoulders. He led Kemp in rushing, including touchdown runs of 5 and 10 yards. It was his arm, however, that was the biggest weapon as he threw for 160 yards, according to my unofficial stats. Clamon’s quick passes to the flats kept Malakoff on its heels on the opening drive of the second half and led to the first touchdown of the game. Game ball to Clamon.
— Did you notice that both teams had two touchdowns called back for penalties?
— The Kemp offense benefited from great field position. Of their three touchdown drives, one started at the Malakoff 8 and another started at the Malakoff 39.
— Key play that will be forgotten in all the excitement at the end of the game: the fourth down measurement on Kemp’s first scoring drive of the third quarter. Kemp called a Cameron Clamon run on 4th and 1 from the Malakoff 22 and the Yellowjacket quarterback was stopped right at the line to gain. As the referees stretched out the chain to measure, I still couldn’t tell if he made the first down or not. The refs ruled it was a first down and the Yellowjackets scored four plays later.
— Malakoff’s Kaderrius Thomas had a big interception in the first half for the Tigers. Also give credit to Caleb Adams for the big hit on Kemp’s QB that caused the pass to be overthrown.
— Kemp finished the year 7-2, 5-0 and as district champions. Malakoff finished 7-2, 4-1.
— Malakoff will play Pottsboro at Hamby Stadium in Mesquite, 7:30 Friday, Nov. 16 in the first round of the playoffs. The Tigers will be the home team. Tickets are $6 and $4.