Advertisement

News

Woodrow Wilson goes old school to defeat Lincoln in battle of last two 12-4A district champions

With the last two district champs vying for the top spot in District 12-4A, it was Woodrow Wilson’s old-school running power which led to a 34-19 victory over Lincoln’s game-breaking speed. Woodrow (4-1, 2-0) got a tenacious, 31-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run by junior running back Tracy James to go up 27-13 early in the fourth quarter.

The 200-pound James powered his way upfield, breaking tackles and keeping his balance despite two facemask penalties (declined). James ended with 150 yards rushing on 29 carries to combine with read-option running of quarterback Da’Montae Bright, who had 98 yards on 17 carries.

“We’ve gone back to our old, smash-mouth style of Woodrow football,” Woodrow coach Bobby Estes said. “It’s what we do and, now, nobody does it so it’s something different.”

Advertisement

The 2011 district champs, Woodrow held off several surges by the 2012 district champs Lincoln, which mostly stayed within one touchdown. Lincoln trailed, 19-13, heading into the final quarter behind the quick-strikes of junior quarterback Trevon Donnell and speedy twins Erick and Derrick Neal, who decided to rejoin the football program after the season-opener after spending the off-season thinking they would concentrate on basketball with both committing to play at UTA.

Breaking News

Get the latest breaking news from North Texas and beyond.

Or with:

Lincoln (2-3, 1-1) pulled within 27-19 as Erick Neal caught a 36-yard scoring pass from Donnell. Erick Neal split time as receiver and quarterback while Derrick played running back, receiver and defensive back.

Woodrow never trailed after taking a 6-0 lead on its second possession. Tight end Ed Serrano caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone by making a good reach to catch a rocket throw from Bright and Serrano stutter-stepping his feet to stay in bounds. A low snap punt by Lincoln helped set up Woodrow’s drive at the 20-yard line.

Advertisement

Donnell bolted up the middle off shotgun formation for a 26-yard touchdown run to cap a 6-play, 61-yard drive to tie the score, 6-6.

Woodrow led 19-6 at halftime as Isaiah Wilson made a 180-spin to catch a 12-yard fade in the end zone from Bright. Woodrow, led by defensive back Alex Caballero, end Ajai Washington and linebacker Cameron Minger, had an interception and a fourth-down stop at its own 3-yard line to hold Lincoln to three scores after it had been averaging 37 points per game since the Neal twins returned.