Daingerfield vs. Celina: Round 3

One of the most highly anticipated games of the 2009 Texas high school football season will be round three of the fledgling rivalry between the Daingerfield Tigers and the Celina Bobcats. Daingerfield will play host to Celina in the third week of the season and football fans from the Metroplex to the Piney Woods of East Texas will focus their attention on Daingerfield’s Tiger Stadium.

The first two meetings between these two teams certainly produced some fireworks. In 2002, Daingerfield and Celina met for the first time in the history of their programs in the area round of the 3A-division two playoffs. At the time, Celina was riding a state-record 68 game winning streak. The Bobcats, under the direction of legendary coach G.A. Moore, had won consecutive state titles in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

In one of the most exciting playoff games in the history of either school, Daingerfield ended Celina’s state-record winning streak with a 21-20 victory at Williams Stadium in Garland. Daingerfield’s all-state safety, Martelius Epps, blocked a PAT on the final play of the game to preserve the victory for the Tigers.

Fast forward to September 13, 2008 and the first regular season meeting between the Tigers and the Bobcats. Since their initial meeting six years earlier, Celina had added two more state championship trophies to the trophy case, winning state titles in 2005 and 2007. The game, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2008 in Royce City, was intended to be a neutral site matchup. Due to concerns over Hurricane Ike, the game was moved to a Friday night game in Celina. Celina’s last loss at home was nearly a decade earlier in 1998 to rival Pilot Point.

Daingerfield, now a 2A program, came into the game with a starting offensive backfield that had started a total of two varsity games. Celina came into the game as the defending 3A state champions. Daingerfield jumped out to an improbable 25-7 halftime lead on the strength of big plays by junior running back, KoKo Smith (64 yard touchdown run), sophomore quarterback, Tyler Boyd (40 yard run), and senior linebacker, Julius Hurndon (45 yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown).

As expected, Celina made a frantic comeback in the second half. Celina’s defense shut down Daingerfield’s explosive, but young, offense in the second half. Celina scored once in the third quarter on an Austin Carey 9 yard run to cut the Tigers’ lead to 25-14. Daingerfield answered with a B.J. Johnson field goal to make the score 28-14 after three quarters. Celina scored again in the fourth on a 1 yard run by all-state running back, Troy McCartney. The try for two failed, leaving the score 28-20. Celina had one last opportunity to tie the game late in the fourth. Following a turnover, Celina took over at midfield with just over 2 minutes to play. The Bobcats moved the ball to the Daingerfield 10 yard line with 29 seconds remaining. Celina quarterback, Cody Worrell took the snap and got off a pass under heavy pressure from the Tiger defense. The ball was underthrown and picked off by Daingerfield, all-state linebacker Julius Hurndon. Daingerfield had beaten Celina again, this time ending the Bobcats’ 45 game home winning streak.

Both teams finished the 2008 season in the state title games of their respective divisions. Daingerfield went on to beat Cisco 26-8 in the 2A-division two state championship game to capture its fourth state title. Celina, in what some Bobcat fans absurdly called a down year, went on to play Carthage in the 3A-division two state game. Celina fell short of capturing its record ninth state title, losing to Carthage 49-37.

So what does the third installment of this intriguing matchup hold in store for Tiger and Bobcat fans? Both teams will likely begin the year at or near the top of the AP poll in their respective divisions. Celina will likely begin the season ranked in the top five in 3A along with teams like Gilmer, Liberty Hill and district rival Prosper. Daingerfield could begin the season ranked number 1 in 2A. So, the early season matchup between these two tradition-rich programs with 12 state titles between them will no doubt garner great interest from football fans across the state.

Both teams lose some big-time players to graduation. Celina loses their tremendous backfield duo of Troy McCartney and Charley Waldrep. Celina also loses leading receiver, Austin Carey, and key offensive linemen, Andy Rose and Jordan Stout. But, Celina is Celina. They reload every year and put quality players on the field. 2009 will be no different. Quarterback Cody Worrell will be back to lead the offense with help from running backs Jose Romero and Jamarick Simmons. And, the Bobcat defense is in good hands with all-state linebacker Caleb Lavey returning along with linebacker mate Jay Perez.

Daingerfield will have to replace its entire offensive line. But the offense returns a number of talented skilled position players including quarterback, Tyler Boyd, running back, KoKo Smith and dynamic receiver Chris Jones. On defense, the Tigers only lose four starters but they are huge losses. 2A Defensive player of the year, Carl Moore, graduates, along with all-state linebacker mate Julius Hurndon. Also graduating are all-state nose tackle Zavian Gilstrap and two-year starter at cornerback, Bobby Attaway. The Tiger defense will return 7 starters including standout linebacker Josh Evans, defensive backs Scott Irvin and Joe Lafayette, and defensive ends Chris Robertson and Steve Edmond.

So, the stage seems to be set for another incredible game between these two teams. Celina will come into the game as the heavy favorite and with a little added incentive to beat the team that has ended two of Celina’s longest winning streaks. Daingerfield will come into the matchup as the defending 2A state champion and leading the all-time series 2-0. In the end, the game is just a non-district matchup between two teams that aren’t even in the same division. The game will have no bearing on either team’s chances of making the playoffs, much less their chances of winning another state championship. But, the game will carry significant bragging rights for the fans of the programs. And, an early season matchup between teams of this caliber can often instill confidence in the winning team that helps propel them to a great season.

So, bring on round 3 of Daingerfield vs. Celina. Is it football season yet?

By: Doug Reeder (a.k.a. franksnbeans)
Franksfootball.blogspot.com