Sports > Schools
Football: The clock strikes zero: Flower Mound escapes Lewisville with win
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
LEWISVILLE - A wild District 5-5A football game between Flower Mound and Lewisville had an even wackier conclusion Friday at Max Goldsmith Stadium as the Jaguars overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat the Farmers, 34-33.
Lewisville moved into field goal position in the final minute, advancing to the Flower Mound 19-yard line, but was unable to get off an attempt at the game-winning kick.
The Farmers lost a yard on first down and used their final timeout with 48 seconds remaining before running back Deandre Brown picked up 3 yards on second down to move to the 17-yard line. However, instead of clocking the ball, the Farmers opted to pick up additional yardage and, after a short gain, were unable to get the kicking unit on field in time, snapping the ball moments after the final second expired.
"We took the timeout and thought we could get another play off and then run the hurry-up field goal out there," said Gregg Miller, Lewisville head coach. "We told the kids after the timeout that we were going to run a play and then kill the clock and go for the field goal. But we decided to try another play and thought we could get a quick one off and it cost us the ball game.
"Every Thursday at 8:57 a.m. we work on the hurry-up field goal off the sideline. Every Thursday morning. It's sick when something like that happens."
Flower Mound's (3-3, 1-0) Dane Johnson picks up a win in his first district game as a head coach while the Farmers - looking to snap a 13-game skid in district - fall to 0-1 and 1-5 on the year.
"Coach Miller is doing a great job over there," Johnson said. "That team is way better than it's been the past three years. He's got a great little player in Brown and hats off to them. It's one of those games you hate for a loser.
"It was fun to watch and the kids were playing hard. I'm just glad we came out on top."
Quarterback Connor Wanhanen keyed a comeback that saw the Jaguars climb out of a 20-7 hole early in the third by outscoring the Farmers the rest of the way, 27-13.
Wanhanen completed 11-of-16 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with one interception while also chipping in 47 yards on the ground with a score. Brendon Ianeiro was his top target, finishing with four catches for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Cole McKeel chipped in 78 yards rushing on 11 carries with a touchdown.
"We talked to [Ianeiro] this week and said 'We have to have you if we're going to win games.'" Johnson said. "And he stepped up and did it; I'm proud of him."
Ianeiro had touchdown catches of 55 yards to open the scoring in the first, 69 yards in the third and a 13-yarder in the fourth to bring Flower Mound within 33-28 before Wanhanen plunged in from 2 yards for what proved to be the winning touchdown.
After failing to pick up a first down in the second quarter, Flower Mound erupted for 12 first downs and 279 yards in the second half.
"Connor did a good job for us," Johnson said. "In the second half, we really gained a lot of momentum, so we kept rolling with him and the leadership he brought."
Lewisville's clock management issues in the final minute overshadowed a big night from Brown, who finished with 189 yards and three touchdowns. Brown had a 56-yard punt return to set up his second touchdown, which gave Lewisville its biggest lead at 20-7, and followed with a 47-yard dash to answer Ianeiro's lengthy touchdown reception in the third and put the Farmers ahead, 33-21.
"[Brown is] a strong character kid and a quality person," Miller said. "And he's a guy you have to get the ball to. We base our offense off the running game and he's the perfect back for our offense. He can get downhill or finesse you. He's the man for us right now."
Brown had another long scoring run called back after a personal foul for blocking a Flower Mound player down field after his helmet had been knocked off.
"It's a new rule this year," Miller said. "When the helmet comes off, you have to stop. It's the kind of effort we used to reward guys for and pat them on the back, but it's a new rule and they knew about it. We explained it to them and it's my fault for not reiterating it. But it's tough because it's against their nature and it's the first year. But [the officials] made the right call."
Lewisville's Calvin Minor had an interception in the first quarter which he returned to the Flower Mound 2-yard line to precede Brown's first touchdown.
Quarterback Matt McDougal finished the contest 10-of-17 for 148 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown play-action pass to Metrick Buhler in the second.
The Farmers look for their first district win at 7:30 p.m. Friday at rival Marcus.
"This was a great high school football game," Miller said. "It was the type you like to watch and not be a part of. But we have to get past it. Our kids are working hard and you don't have a choice. If you're going to win like a champion, you have to learn to lose like one. Not that losing is good, but it's a part of the process. That's part of the appreciation of winning is learning how to lose."
Flower Mound looks to improve to 2-0 at the same time when it hosts Coppell.
"This was huge," Johnson said. "You have to win that first one, so we're not chasing. There are only four more left and you need the first one. This is a tough district and I'd assume at the end that there are going to be a bunch of ties and tiebreakers and we're going to be counting points and things like that. There are good teams ahead of us, so we needed that win."
Lewisville moved into field goal position in the final minute, advancing to the Flower Mound 19-yard line, but was unable to get off an attempt at the game-winning kick.
The Farmers lost a yard on first down and used their final timeout with 48 seconds remaining before running back Deandre Brown picked up 3 yards on second down to move to the 17-yard line. However, instead of clocking the ball, the Farmers opted to pick up additional yardage and, after a short gain, were unable to get the kicking unit on field in time, snapping the ball moments after the final second expired.
"We took the timeout and thought we could get another play off and then run the hurry-up field goal out there," said Gregg Miller, Lewisville head coach. "We told the kids after the timeout that we were going to run a play and then kill the clock and go for the field goal. But we decided to try another play and thought we could get a quick one off and it cost us the ball game.
"Every Thursday at 8:57 a.m. we work on the hurry-up field goal off the sideline. Every Thursday morning. It's sick when something like that happens."
Flower Mound's (3-3, 1-0) Dane Johnson picks up a win in his first district game as a head coach while the Farmers - looking to snap a 13-game skid in district - fall to 0-1 and 1-5 on the year.
"Coach Miller is doing a great job over there," Johnson said. "That team is way better than it's been the past three years. He's got a great little player in Brown and hats off to them. It's one of those games you hate for a loser.
"It was fun to watch and the kids were playing hard. I'm just glad we came out on top."
Quarterback Connor Wanhanen keyed a comeback that saw the Jaguars climb out of a 20-7 hole early in the third by outscoring the Farmers the rest of the way, 27-13.
Wanhanen completed 11-of-16 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns with one interception while also chipping in 47 yards on the ground with a score. Brendon Ianeiro was his top target, finishing with four catches for 147 yards and three touchdowns. Cole McKeel chipped in 78 yards rushing on 11 carries with a touchdown.
"We talked to [Ianeiro] this week and said 'We have to have you if we're going to win games.'" Johnson said. "And he stepped up and did it; I'm proud of him."
Ianeiro had touchdown catches of 55 yards to open the scoring in the first, 69 yards in the third and a 13-yarder in the fourth to bring Flower Mound within 33-28 before Wanhanen plunged in from 2 yards for what proved to be the winning touchdown.
After failing to pick up a first down in the second quarter, Flower Mound erupted for 12 first downs and 279 yards in the second half.
"Connor did a good job for us," Johnson said. "In the second half, we really gained a lot of momentum, so we kept rolling with him and the leadership he brought."
Lewisville's clock management issues in the final minute overshadowed a big night from Brown, who finished with 189 yards and three touchdowns. Brown had a 56-yard punt return to set up his second touchdown, which gave Lewisville its biggest lead at 20-7, and followed with a 47-yard dash to answer Ianeiro's lengthy touchdown reception in the third and put the Farmers ahead, 33-21.
"[Brown is] a strong character kid and a quality person," Miller said. "And he's a guy you have to get the ball to. We base our offense off the running game and he's the perfect back for our offense. He can get downhill or finesse you. He's the man for us right now."
Brown had another long scoring run called back after a personal foul for blocking a Flower Mound player down field after his helmet had been knocked off.
"It's a new rule this year," Miller said. "When the helmet comes off, you have to stop. It's the kind of effort we used to reward guys for and pat them on the back, but it's a new rule and they knew about it. We explained it to them and it's my fault for not reiterating it. But it's tough because it's against their nature and it's the first year. But [the officials] made the right call."
Lewisville's Calvin Minor had an interception in the first quarter which he returned to the Flower Mound 2-yard line to precede Brown's first touchdown.
Quarterback Matt McDougal finished the contest 10-of-17 for 148 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown play-action pass to Metrick Buhler in the second.
The Farmers look for their first district win at 7:30 p.m. Friday at rival Marcus.
"This was a great high school football game," Miller said. "It was the type you like to watch and not be a part of. But we have to get past it. Our kids are working hard and you don't have a choice. If you're going to win like a champion, you have to learn to lose like one. Not that losing is good, but it's a part of the process. That's part of the appreciation of winning is learning how to lose."
Flower Mound looks to improve to 2-0 at the same time when it hosts Coppell.
"This was huge," Johnson said. "You have to win that first one, so we're not chasing. There are only four more left and you need the first one. This is a tough district and I'd assume at the end that there are going to be a bunch of ties and tiebreakers and we're going to be counting points and things like that. There are good teams ahead of us, so we needed that win."
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