2 weeks Ago By By Clay Whittington | Herald Correspondent
For the second consecutive week, Shoemaker was involved in a shootout, and once again, the Grey Wolves prevailed. After escaping Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Crusader Stadium with a 67-46 victory last week, Shoemaker returned home for its final nondistrict game of the schedule, hosting Waco University. While the venue changed to Joseph L.
Searles III Stadium, the outcome was quite similar. For three quarters, the squads swapped scores before the Grey Wolves pulled away, recovering from a failed extra point by recovering an onside attempt on the ensuing kickoff and turning it into the game-clinching score. Shoemaker converted a fourth-and-13 before junior running back Brandon Brown Jr.
scored on a 5-yard run and teammates Tyrieke Wade and Cayden Logan followed by combining for a successful two-point conversion with 8 minutes, 14 seconds remaining in regulation, and the 36-29 score held for the duration of the contest. Trailing 29-22, the Grey Wolves navigated 75 yards for a score as Wade found Brown for a 19-yard touchdown with 1:40 left in the third quarter, but senior Noah Soto’s extra point sailed left, leaving Shoemaker in a one-point hole. The decision resulted in the Grey Wolves taking a gamble by attempting an onside kick, and it paid off.
Wade completed 11 of 14 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns with senior standout receiver Maurice Starr accounting for 152 yards and a score on four catches. In addition to his touchdown, Brown carried the ball nine times for 87 yards and a rushing score. The teams opened the game with a back-and-forth first half.
University converted a fourth-and-5 in Shoemaker territory during the opening drive and it led to a lead as sophomore quarterback Savoy Nichols found Ke’Andre Brooks, a junior, for a 15-yard score. The advantage did not last long, though. On the ensuing possession, the Grey Wolves benefited from a short field after the Trojans’ onside kick attempt failed, and Shoemaker (3-1) punctuated a nine-play, 51-yard march with senior Isaiah Butler-Tanner’s 1-yard touchdown run from under center.
University’s second time to touch the ball culminated with an impressive 45-yard touchdown run from senior Ja’Deriun Bell, who broke out of a pile of tacklers before sprinting down the sideline and into the end zone. The big plays continued when the Grey Wolves received the ball as Wade and Starr connected for a 75-yard touchdown on the first snap, and Willie Thomas, a junior running back, added a two-point conversion to give Shoemaker a one-point cushion, 15-14, with 53 seconds remaining in the opening period. Then, the Trojans turned the ball over on downs after being stuffed for a 3-yard loss on a fourth-down conversion attempt, and the Grey Wolves capitalized thanks to Thomas’ 1-yard run across the goal line to cap off a 69-yard drive.
Once again, though, the lead immediately evaporated after University (3-1) needed just 95 seconds to produce another touchdown strike from Nichols to Brooks. This time the score measured 65 yards, and after Nichols added two more points on an ensuing run, the teams went into halftime tied 22-22. Wade and Starr combined to account for all of Shoemaker’s 123 passing yards, while Brown ran for 58 yards through two quarters.
Despite the outcome, the Trojans finished with 312 total yards of offense highlighted by Nichols’ 17-of-22 passing performance for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Now, Shoemaker turns its attention toward opening its District 12-6A schedule Thursday against visiting Temple (2-1). The Wildcats host Austin High (2-1) tonight.
University will encounter another area team next week as Lampasas (3-0) makes the trip to Waco after playing Class 4A, Division II No. 6 Wimberley (2-1) tonight. THURSDAY'S SCORES.
