Oak Ridge Season Ends To Klein Collins

Klein Collins is considered by many to have one of the best defenses in the Houston area. The Tigers proved those folks right on Friday in their 44-7 bi-district playoff victory over Oak Ridge at Klein Memorial Stadium.

Collins (11-0), the District 13-5A champion under the direction of former Oak Ridge assistant Drew Svoboda from 2005-08, took control early to end the District 14-5A fourth-place representative War Eagles’ season at 5-6.

“They’re pretty darn good,” said Oak Ridge head coach Bob Barrett, of the victorious Tigers. “They’re solid. They’re solid everywhere. You look at them offensively, defensively, special teams, they’re a solid team, that’s why they’re undefeated. They don’t make many mistakes.

“They’ve definitely got a good ballclub. They’ve got things rolling.”

Collins converted its opening drive with a 27-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead and went 29 yards for its first touchdown after taking over following Oak Ridge’s unsuccessful fake punt attempt.

An off sides penalty gave Klein Collins a first down at the 17 when the War Eagles’ defense appeared to have stopped the Tigers a yard short of a first down. Instead, Collins extended its lead to 10-0.

Klein Collins limited Oak Ridge to just one first down, on a penalty, in the first quarter.

The Tigers scored on its three first-quarter possessions and led 17-0 early in the second quarter, following that by returning an interception for a touchdown and a 24-0 advantage.

Oak Ridge running back Michael Handy broke loose for a 46-yard run to the Klein Collins 19, the War Eagles’ only offensive first down in the first half. But Oak Ridge turned it over on downs at the Collins 10-yard line.

Two plays later, JaMichael Rozier dashed 89 yards for a Tigers touchdown and a 31-0 lead. Rozier rushed for 166 first-half yards on 15 carries.

The Tigers, who scored on every possession of the first half, tacked on another score just before halftime but botched the conversion attempt and settled for a 37-0 lead at intermission.

War Eagles quarterback Ryan Cyr threw to Trent Langley for a 32-yard gain on the first play of second half. But Oak Ridge turned it over on downs four plays later at the Collins 33.

Oak Ridge held Collins out of the end zone through the third quarter, but the Tigers scored on the first play of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 44-0.

The War Eagles got on the scoreboard late. Cyr threw to Langley, who broke a tackle and completed a 48-yard touchdown pass and catch, early in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.