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Windthorst dominates Goldthwaite to reach regional final
November 30, 2007 11:28 PM

Zach Duncan
Times Record News

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Windthorst's three-game losing streak from a few weeks ago is ancient history.

And so is Goldthwaite's season, after the Trojans dispatched the Eagles from the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Brian Hoff returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown, and the Trojans never let up after that, claiming a stirring 39-15 victory in the Class A Division II regional semifinals.

The Trojans (6-6) will meet today's Roscoe-Munday winner next week in a time and place to be determined. Goldthwaite ends its season at 9-3.

Windthorst coach Bill Green credited the dominating victory to the offensive line and to senior tailbacks Pablo Solorio and Hoff, who accounted for 150 of the Trojans’ 197 rushing yards.

"Our senior running backs this year haven't been spectacular, but they're seniors and we have to count on them," Green said. "I knew I could count on them, because I have seen them play since the seventh grade.

"I know they have competitiveness in them, and I know they have the champion in them. I love them to death, and they just played hard."

Unlike last year's matchup - a battle of unbeatens that Windthorst pulled out on a last-minute field goal - this game didn't have near the dramatic finish.

Hoff’s kickoff return broke an 8-8 tie and ignited the Trojans, who scored the game's next four touchdowns.

Special teams play also cost the Eagles dearly in the loss. Goldthwaite fumbled a punt and a kickoff, both which Windthorst later converted into touchdowns.

And then there was Hoff's return, which the senior started up the middle, before breaking loose down the left sideline. No one came close to last year's state medalist in the 110 hurdles.

"I just saw open grass, and I was like, 'I'm going for it,' " Hoff said of the return. "We stepped it up in every aspect tonight."

Goldthwaite didn't help its cause with 11 penalties for 92 yards. Cory Baker's 67-yard touchdown reception on a reverse pass would have knotted the score at 15-15, but a lineman was whistled for illegally being downfield.

The Trojans dominated after Hoff's kickoff return. Pablo Solorio's 54-yard touchdown run two drives later extended their lead to 22-8 with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter.

Then Goldthwaite coughed up the fumble and Wes Wolf recovered on the Eagles' 22-yard line. Four plays later, Charles Wolf found the end zone from 2 yards out.

"We just kind of had a meltdown," Goldthwaite coach Gary Proffitt said. "We had crucial mistakes at the wrong times. Windthorst played an outstanding game and made the plays when they had to make them."

Even though Windthorst was outgained by close to 100 yards, the Trojans' defense, led by the front four of Travis Veitenheimer, Kameron Steinberger, Jarret Carr and Jon Schreiber, never led the Eagles get its wishbone offense in a groove.

Josh McCoy also had a fumble recovery and interception.

Green pulled out all the stops early on, especially in the first half. He called a hook-and-lateral on fourth down that set up the Trojans’ first touchdown, a 5-yard run from John Adam Berend.

He even inserted Brian Hoff at quarterback in order to give him more carries on option plays.

Walt Clifton's 51-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive tied the game at 8-8, but that's as close as Goldthwaite would get.

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.

Windthorst 39, Goldthwaite 15
Goldthwaite Windthorst
16 First Downs 11
44-219 Yards Rushing 37-197
87 Yards Passing 21
4-13-1 Comp/Att/Int 2-8-1
3-34.7 Punts-Average 3-34.7
2-2 Fumbles Lost 2-1
11-92 Yards Penalized 1-10
———
Goldthwaite 0 8 0 7 — 15
Windthorst 0 8 21 10 — 39
———
W – John Adam Berend 5 run (Berend run)
G – Walt Clifton 51 run (Wade Clifton run)
W – Brian Hoff 92 kickoff return (Hoff kick)
W – Pablo Solorio 54 run (Hoff kick)
W – Charles Wolf 2 run (Hoff kick)
W – Solorio 3 run (Hoff kick)
G – Cory Baker 8 run (Baker kick)
W – Hoff 30 field goal
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing; Goldthwaite – Walt Clifton 10-91, Wade Clifton 15-59, Cory Baker 12-48, Michael Williams 6-22, Team 1-(-)1; Windthorst – Pablo Solorio 8-86, Brian Hoff 12-64, John Adam Berend 8-37, Charles Wolf 7-10, Lance Veitenheimer 1-2, Kelly Hoegger 1-2.
Passing; Goldthwaite – Wade Clifton 4-13-1 for 87; Windthorst – Hoegger 2-8-1 for 21.
Receiving; Goldthwaite – Clay Phillips 2-44, Trey Horton 2-43; Windthorst – Josh McCoy 2-12, Hoff 0-9.