By David Claybourn
Herald Banner Sports Editor
12/08/00
Commerce puts its 29-game winning streak on the line tonight in Texas Stadium against a
Forney team that was victim No. 25 back on Nov. 3.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m. for the Division II, Class 3A quarterfinal playoff game.
Commerce captured the District 11-3A title with a narrow 15-14 win at Forney. Freshman
Bart Bryant drilled a 25-yard field goal with 1:17 left for the game-winner.
Commerce coach Steve Bragg said he expects the 9-4 Jackrabbits to be up for the rematch
with the 13-0 Tigers.
"I'm sure their kids will be real motivated because they lost the first one,"
Bragg said. "It was such a close game the first time, believe me we won't be
overconfident."
Commerce rallied from a 14-6 deficit in the final period, thanks to a 16-yard touchdown
run by Larry Hatley with 9:38 left and then Antonio Kull blocked a punt that rolled out of
bounds at the Forney 3-yard line with 3:05 remaining. That blocked punt set up Bryant's
field goal.
Both offenses had trouble getting untracked against two stingy defenses on a muddy turf.
"People talk about it being wet the first time," Bragg said. "It hurt us as
much as it hurt them."
Commerce managed just 116 total yards while Forney finished with 134 yards.
"I think both teams are very quick on defense and play great defense," said
Forney coach Max Maxfield. "We thought Commerce has the best defense we've faced. But
we're proud of our defense, too."
Forney's given up just eight points in its three playoff wins, beating Crandall 33-0,
Wilmer-Hutchins 41-8 and then Gladewater 20-0 last week.
Tackle Davis Ross leads the Forney defense along with lineman Daniel Arden, outside
linebacker Kent St. Clair and free safety Charlie Rickerson.
Commerce's defense, led by noseguard Joseph McDaniel, tackle Brodrick Hearn, cornerback
Tommy Wright and Kull at safety, has registered six shutouts this season.
"They've just done a great job all year with shutting people down," Bragg said.
The Tigers have given up 31 points in playoff wins over Wills Point (17-7), Gainesville
(27-14) and Spring Hill (21-10).
Commerce's defense will be trying to contain Forney's speedy running back DeBryan Blanton
for the second time this season. Blanton is one of the fastest high school football
players in the nation, having clocked the fastest 200-meter time at the state meet last
year with a 20.79. Blanton has rushed for more than 1,400 yards though missing five games
with a knee injury.
The Tigers limited the speedy Blanton to 110 yards on 22 carries during the first game.
"We have to contain him," Bragg said. "He's a special young man. The
fullback will hurt you inside. The quarterback is a real good operator. They've got more
weapons than him."
Bragg said one of the keys to victory for the Tigers is "how much much we can keep
him (Blanton) off the field."
"It's not real hard to figure out we're going to try to get him the ball as much as
we can," said Maxfield.
Commerce's offense likes to control the football, using a lot of different backs. The
Tigers have used two different quarterbacks effectively this season, Brodrick Kelley and
Shawn Droddy, plus have rotated two fullbacks and three to four halfbacks on a regular
basis.
Consequently, the Tigers don't have a 1,000-yard rusher but have three running backs with
just over 500 yards including Tommy Wright, DeMarcus Harrison and Hatley. The Tigers have
seven backs with 40 or more carries this season.
Hatley had a big game in last week's victory over Spring Hill, rushing for 110 yards on
nine carries, including an 86-yard run that set up a touchdown. Hatley also broke up five
passes on defense, intercepted a pass and forced a fumble that he recovered.
Wright rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries in that win.
"We've got a lot of kids that contribute," Bragg said. "It's really been a
team effort."
Both head coaches say their players are very excited to be in the fourth round of the
playoffs.
"These are two legendary Class 3A football programs," Bragg said. "Two
programs with a lot of tradition. It ought to be a good football game. We're just excited
about being in the fourth round of the playoffs."
"We're extremely proud of our kids to reach this point of the season," Bragg
said. "We'd be excited regardless of who we're playing."