Wylie wide receiver Jordan Whaley (81) breaks from the grasp of South Oak Cliff defensive back Takadrae Williams (17) in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.Wylie running back T.K. Rockwell (28) scores a touchdown in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game between Wylie High School and South Oak Cliff High School in Allen, Texas.
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Wylie wide receiver Kameron Kelly (2) hauls in a pass as he is defended by South Oak Cliff defensive back Takadrae Williams (17) in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.
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Wylie offensive lineman Laurent Njiki (50) lifts wide receiver Kameron Kelly (2) in the air after Kelly scored a touchdown. Victor Cheatham (55) and Castin Neumeyer (75) join the celebration in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game between Wylie High School and South Oak Cliff High School.
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Wylie wide receiver Jordan Whaley (81) is unable to make the reception as South Oak Cliff defensive back Juice Parker (20) defends in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.Wylie wide receiver Jordan Whaley (81) is unable to make the reception as South Oak Cliff defensive back Juice Parker (20) defends in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.
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Wylie quarterback Carsen Cook (9) celebrates as he crosses the goal line in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game between Wylie High School and South Oak Cliff High School.Wylie quarterback Carsen Cook (9) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Jordan Whaley (81), offensive lineman Laurent Njiki (50) and wide receiver Alex Wesley (88) in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.South Oak Cliff quarterback Kenneth Arthur II (1) hurdles Wylie defensive back Ramiro Gomez (3) on his way to a touchdown in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.
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South Oak Cliff quarterback Kenneth Arthur II (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game between Wylie High School and South Oak Cliff High School.
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South Oak Cliff running back Dejon Johnson (25) is upended by Wylie defensive back Ben Kendama (85) as defensive back Obinna Amadi (16) comes in to assist in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.South Oak Cliff wide receiver Fonzale Davis (5) runs for a touchdown in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game between Wylie High School and South Oak Cliff High.Wylie wide receiver Alex Wesley (88) makes the catch across the middle as South Oak Cliff defensive back Takadrae Williams (17) converges on the play in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.
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Wylie wide receiver Alex Wesley (88) is upended by South Oak Cliff defensive back Takadrae Williams (17) as quarterback Kameron Kelly (2) watches in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.Wylie quarterback Carsen Cook (9) prepares to get hit by South Oak Cliff defensive back Devin Franklin (26) as he crosses the goal line in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.South Oak Cliff wide receiver JF Thomas (6) runs for a touchdown after making the catch as Wylie linebacker Devon Hughes (4), defensive back Elijah Harris (11) and defensive back Kameron Kelly (2) trail the play in the first half of the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.Wylie defensive back Kameron Kelly (2), defensive lineman Michael Johnson (33) and defensive back Jarell Brown (27) celebrate with fans following their victory over South Oak Cliff in the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.
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Wylie head coach Bill Howard celebrates with offensive lineman Brandon Dotson, on left, and wide receiver Kameron Kelly, on right, following their victory over South Oak Cliff in the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.Wylie head coach Bill Howard leads his team in celebrating following their victory over South Oak Cliff in the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.Wylie defensive back Kameron Kelly (2) celebrates following their victory over South Oak Cliff in the 4A Division I Region II semifinal football game.
ALLEN — In a game that won’t be remembered by many for its defense, Wylie’s third quarter effort on that side of the ball provided enough breathing room for its offense to pull away Friday night at Allen’s Eagle Stadium.
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Wylie scored 21 unanswered to open the second half before cruising to a 64-46 victory over South Oak Cliff in a Class 4A Division I Region II regional semifinal.
“They got some tremendous skill players, but I thought all along we were the better team,” Wylie coach Bill Howard said. “I said, ‘If we’re even close at halftime, guys, we can win the second half.’ It’s nice when that actually works.”
Wylie (9-4) advances to face Highland Park Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Southlake's Dragon Stadium.
After compiling 382 yards of offense in the first half, South Oak Cliff (11-2) was held to only 40 in the third quarter. That was the difference in a game that Wylie scored touchdowns on nine of its first 11 possessions.
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Junior quarterback Carsen Cook completed 15-of-21 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns. Cook, who is not known for his running ability, also rushed 14 times for 76 yards. Wylie’s first three possessions were capped by Cook scoring runs.
Senior Alex Wesley caught seven passes for 88 yards, which included both of Cook’s touchdown passes.
Senior quarterback Kenneth Arthur II was a significant reason why S.O.C. was down only one, 34-33, at halftime. Arthur threw for 323 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more scores during the first two quarters.
“First half was a track meet,” Howard said, “and I don’t think you want to get in a track meet with South Oak Cliff.”
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Wylie set the tone early by scoring touchdowns on its first five possessions, taking a 34-20 lead before ever attempting a punt.
Arthur passed for 495 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Fonzale Davis caught nine of those passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns.
Wylie finished with 562 yards of offense and 25 first downs. S.O.C. totaled 572 yards and 20 first downs.
