By David Claybourn
Herald Banner Sports Editor
Commerce's 14-0 Tigers will be gunning for their third trip to the Class 3A state finals in this decade when they take on the 14-0 Crane Golden Cranes at 2 this afternoon at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.
The Tigers, who lost to Sealy in the 1995 and 1997 state finals, could be looking at a third match-up with Sealy if they can get by Crane. Sealy and Waco Robinson met on Friday night in the other Class 3A Division II semifinal at Kyle Field in College Station.
Standing in the Tigers' way is a stingy Crane defense that has held all but two of its opponents to nine points or less and has also registered six shutouts. Led by noseguard Luis Hernandez (5-11, 170) and free safety Cory Aguilar (5-10, 145), the Golden Cranes have forced 44 turnovers.
"They play all out every play," said Commerce quarterback Chad Anderson. "They all get to the ball."
Commerce coach Steve Lineweaver said the Golden Cranes have some tough football players.
"We better be hard-nosed because they're going to be," he said. "We'd better strap up tight."
Commerce relies on a multi-bone offense that has given opponents multi fits. The Tigers are averaging 416.3 yards per game, including 332.6 rushing and 83.7 passing.
Commerce features three 1,000-yard rushers in the backfield.
Halfback Avin Johnson, a 172-pound senior, is the Tigers' leading rusher with 1,247 yards and 19 touchdowns on 129 carries and also leads in receptions with 19 for 293 yards and three touchdowns.
Anderson, a 150-pound senior, has rushed for 1,126 yards and 10 touchdowns on 189 carries and is 67-of-112 passing for 1,171 yards, 12 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
Also in the 1,000 club is fullback Ryan Sienty with 1,080 yards on 163 carries. Sienty's also the Tigers' leading scorer with 211 points including 24 touchdowns, 55-of-61 extra point kicks and 4-of-6 field goals.
Halfback Clifford Ethridge, a 181-pound senior, gives the Tigers another threat in the backfield with 477 yards and four touchdowns on 60 carries.
Balance is something the Tigers strive for on offense, that way Crane's defense must try to stop more than just one threat.
"Some of them have a dominating game like Ryan did against Atlanta," Lineweaver said. "That's because they were keying on Avin."
Sienty rushed for 156 yards on 26 carries against Atlanta, scoring all 29 of the Tigers' points with four touchdowns, two point-after kicks and a 27-yard field goal in a 29-20 Tiger victory.
Johnson scored three touchdowns last week during the Tigers' 42-20 romp over Alvarado, rushing for 91 yards on 14 carries. Anderson led the Tigers with 137 yards on 24 carries and was 5-of-6 passing for 53 yards. Sienty wound up with 72 yards on 14 rushes.
Commerce has also beaten Sanger 38-9 in the bi-district round and Lake Worth 41-7 at area.
Crane opened the playoffs with a 44-0 blanking of Slaton and has downed Friona 43-16, Iowa Park 41-25 and Childress 14-9.
The Golden Cranes operate out of a multiple-I offense that mixes the run and pass well, Lineweaver said.
Clay McGuire, a 6-3, 210-pound, leads the Golden Eagles at quarterback and is also a talented defensive end.
"He's a tough kid," said Lineweaver.
Running back Harold Jeffery, a 6-0, 185-pound sophomore, is also a standout for Crane at linebacker.
Crane's offensive line averages 205 pounds per starter, led by right guard Tyler Nelson (6-2, 210, Sr.) and right tackle Dustin Johns (6-0, 238, Sr.).
Preston McDaniel (215, Sr.) and Chris Luckey (246, Sr.) lead both lines for Commerce. Other top linemen for the Tigers include Ben Raed (211, Sr.), Daniel Lane (262, Sr.) and William Jones (205, Jr.).