Ponies win district championship

Both teams entered the game undefeated and knew the contest’s winner would capture the district title. 

“The coaches are very proud of the team’s final record, but more importantly they are proud of the kids’ positive attitudes and excellent work ethics,” coach Craig Orton said. “We look forward to watching them win many more games in the future.”

The first three quarters were played in the middle of the field.

The Ponies couldn’t move the ball up the middle, to the outside and none of their “trick plays” worked, he added.   

But the fourth quarter belonged to the Ponies as they played coach Tom Lane’s “old school” football, Orton said, which is a straight running game.  

The Ponies drove the ball 40 yards down the field by running straight up the middle, gaining at least three yards on every carry.  

As the Wildcats finally started putting all the defenders in the middle to stop the run, Chase Daniels was called to run a sweep to the outside. He wiggled through two or three defenders and scored on a 40-yard run. Austin Ellis punched in the extra point for a 7-0 lead.  

The Wildcats had one last opportunity to score with three minutes remaining and once again the Pony defense stepped up and stopped them. 

The defense allowed only two touchdowns in eight games. 

“The defense proved all year that they will play hard, hit hard and never quit,” the coach said. “This team proved the old saying, ‘Offenses will win games, but defenses will win championships.’”