Cougar football made what seemed impossible, possible
“Can you hear it? Whoo! That cougar spirit. Whoo!” filled the ears of fans walking out of Klein Memorial stadium after the 41-13 Tomball victory over Klein Forest.
Not exactly a do-or-die situation for the Cougars but the victory officially clinched the much-wanted playoff berth the Cougars had been chasing for years.
Squaring off with the Klein Forest Eagles, Tomball set out disregarding the fact that the Eagles were coming into the game 2-7; they came out to “take care of business and whip some tail” as head coach Tommy Kaiser would say. “There is no reason for them to stop now.”
The Cougar crowd was filling out, outnumbering the home crowd for Forest.
The Cougars first drive failed to produce anything, Klein Forest came out on their first drive of the game and scored a touchdown, missing the PTA.
Not stressing, the offense came out to give it a go. Senior Jonathan Rogers put up the first points of the night with a TD, but would later go down with an injury and miss the next two weeks.
The defense was all over Klein Forest, causing many unforced errors for the Eagles. Senior Malcom Scott had an impressive game on defense with a pick for the Cougars.
On offense, younger brother Dmitri Scott sophomore had a punishing running game and a TD in the second half for Tomball.
Overall happiness for both the playoff clincher and his younger brother’s big night filled Scott. “Feels great,” he said. “My little brother scored a touchdown! And we’re going to the playoffs.”
Players Johnny Rodgers, Brandon Green, Montrell Logan, Aaron Obidigbo and Dmitri Scott scored all of Tomball’s touchdowns for the night. Senior kicker Dillon Duarte racked up 6 points throughout the game.
Taking note that Thursday’s game was an usual chilly one for Tomball, the fans seemed not troubled and were bundled up in blankets and scarves while holding up posters of this season’s motto “We Believe”.
“It’s cold, but it’s all good as long as the team is winning” said junior Nalani Gruel.
Coach Kaiser while soaked from the habitual dunking after a win made it clear to the boys that now everything’s going to get harder.
“We’re going to need to get healthy,” he said. “We have a few injuries on the team. Also, we need to get stronger physically and mentally for this next step.”
So after seven long years the Coogs enter the post-season after finishing 7-2 in the regular season.
“This football team we have here has proved and has made the students and teachers realize we are the pride of Texas,” said principal Gregg Quinn.
The win means Tomball can start planning on the postseason for the first time since 2003. First up will likely be Kingwood, with the game Friday night at Thorne Stadium.
Kingwood finished District 14-5A play with a 3-3 record, but was only 3-7 overall. The team has less than 300 passing yards for the entire season, relying on a running back corps that has amassed four rushers with more than 300 yards each, two with more than 600 yards.
Running back Andrew Bratsman (696 yards, 5 TDs) and quarterback Greg Williamson (663, 6 TDs) are the top two rushers. Williamson also has 280 yards and 5 TDs this season in the air, and has thrown two interceptions.
