top right corner graphic First and TRN logo Your Source for High School Football News in Wichita Falls Football player helments top of qaurterbacks helmet
Next Matchup
Who's Going
Forward
Click here

Center pict

« Raiders escape comeback by Yellow Jackets, 32-29 | Main | Throckmorton falls to Valley »

Graham exits playoffs with 21-8 loss to Argyle
November 25, 2007 8:18 PM

Zach Duncan

Times Record News

STEPHENVILLE, Texas - Argyle's finesse offense didn't have any trouble moving the football Saturday night, despite an annoying drizzle and stifling wind.

That wasn't the case for quarterback Case McCoy and Graham's attack. The Steers sputtered in brutal conditions in the Region I-3A area round at Tarleton State and paid the price in a 21-8 loss.

"No confidence was basically what I saw tonight," Graham coach Brad McCoy said. "We got outplayed. For some reason, we felt like we couldn't throw and catch in the rain. It was a really frustrating night."

Argyle (10-2) advances to play Snyder in the regional round at a time and place to be determined. Graham ends its season at 10-2.

With his older brother and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy watching from the press box, Case had his worse high school game of his two-year career.

He only completed one of 11 attempts with two interceptions, and that shovel pass to Hubbell Allen in the first half went for minus-1 yard. At least a couple of his passes were drops.

Graham's first drive of the second half epitomized a maddening night. The Steers called 10 straight running plays, moving the ball 71 yards to Argyle’s 27-yard line.

But the drive stalled when Argyle's Matt Moore intercepted Case McCoy at the 10-yard line. When Graham's Kensy Parker picked off Argyle QB JJ Harp two plays later, the Steers threatened again, only to see Moore pick off McCoy for the second time in the quarter.

"We weren't able to do what we normally do," Brad McCoy said. "Nobody played their best tonight, and you hate to have that happen in a playoff game."

Jake Holub was Graham's only bright spot on offense, rushing for 127 yards and a touchdown. The senior broke the 1,500-yard mark in the loss, capping off a brilliant year.

Argyle's offense, behind the dangerous Harp, didn’t have nearly as many problems moving the ball.

After the Eagles fell behind 8-0 in the first quarter, Harp completed his first nine passes, including a 9-yard touchdown to Brady Brown.

Argyle took the lead in the second quarter after Graham muffed a punt at its 21-yard line. Brandon Doubek’s 1-yard touchdown run seven plays later gave Argyle a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

Harp only threw four passes in the second half as Argyle clung to its lead. He wasn't needed much because 92 yards of Kyle Frizzell's game-high 133 yards came after intermission.

Frizzell's 5-yard TD run with 11:40 left in the game gave the Eagles some cushion, and with Graham completely one-dimensional, the Steers couldn't answer the rest of the way.

For Graham, it was a disappointing end to a stellar campaign. The Steers won eight straight games to start the season in McCoy's third year with the program, and they entered the playoffs ranked No. 10 in the state.

"We've had a great, great year, and we love these kids," Brad McCoy said. "They have nothing to hang their heads about."

Staff sports writer Zach Duncan can be reached weekdays after 4 p.m. by calling 720-3470 or 1-800-627-1646. Or e-mail him at duncanz(at)timesrecordnews.com.


Post a comment

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corner graphic