WYATT STOPS EASTERN HILLS TO MAKE PLAYOFFS

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Wyatt runs by Eastern Hills to claim 6-4A playoff berth

Thu 11/04, 7:00pm, Clark Stadium, Fort Worth

By Austin Ries

Special to the Star-Telegram

Fort Worth Wyatt didn't need a fourth-quarter comeback or any last-effort heroics Thursday night to take down Eastern Hills 30-20 at Herman Clark Stadium.

Instead, the Chaparrals (6-4, 6-3) picked up right where they left off after scoring 19 points in four minutes against Fort Worth Dunbar last week. On Thursday, they put up 28 points in the first half with 204 yards of offense to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in District 6-4A.

"We knew it would be a hard-fought battle and we knew we'd have to play four quarters," Wyatt coach Zachary Criss said. "We needed that tough win last week to know how to fight, and it paid off tonight."

After falling into an early 7-0 hole when Highlanders quarterback Chris Gibson connected on a 98-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Buchanan, the Chaparrals wore down Eastern Hills' (5-5, 5-4) with their running game.

Wyatt used six runners, who all rushed for double-digit yards. Senior Tymajrick Jackson led with 122 yards on 20 carries, including a 9-yard score early in the second quarter.

"We had to establish the run game because we are a running team," Criss said. "We had to run, eat up the clock and score some points."

After the Chaparrals tied it 7-7 on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Deion Daniels to Ladell Marshall, Dequaylon Gray recovered a Highlanders' fumble and ran it in for a touchdown and a seven-point lead.

Eastern Hills held the Chaparrals' offense fairly silent in the second half while closing its deficit to 10 points late in the fourth quarter on a 96-yard touchdown pass from Gibson to Anthony Blackmon. But the Chaparrals converted two big first downs and ran out the clock.

Wyatt will play the undefeated District 5-4A champion Aledo Bearcats at Clark Stadium next Thursday.

"Our kids are excited to play [Aledo]," Criss said. "We want to see how we compare to the No. 1 team in the state."

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/11/04/2606291/wyatt-runs-by-e-hills-to-claim.html#ixzz14PvoHR5j