WF Memorial football uses rushing attack to power past Palo Duro in district matchup

(This story was updated to add new information: Palo Duro coach quote, Wichita Falls Memorial coach and player quotes, along with a video.)

CANYON — Palo Duro football lost its District 2-5A Division II opener to Wichita Falls Memorial 44-27 on Friday night at Bain–Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium on the campus of West Texas A&M.

The Dons (3-2, 0-1) were led by sophomore quarterback Julian Reese II, who threw for 267 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Mavericks running backs Kenji Johnson and Eric Powell each had a strong showing for Memorial.

Johnson racked up 178 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, while Powell chipped in 28 receiving yards, 131 rushing yards, two touchdowns on the ground and another through the air. Junior quarterback Joe Castles also threw three touchdowns for the Mavericks (5-1, 2-0).

Game-changing plays

After forcing Memorial to punt on the game's opening drive, Palo Duro scored on its first play from scrimmage when Reese found sophomore wide receiver Raymond Johnson IV over the middle for a 46-yard touchdown.

Reese lost a fumble on fourth down later in the quarter, and the Mavericks capitalized with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Castles to Powell. Memorial couldn't come up with the two-point conversion, however, and trailed 8-6 late in the first quarter.

Another Dons' fumble gave the ball back to the Mavericks at Palo Duro's 37-yard line, and Castles found junior wideout Jamari Dean for a 22-yard touchdown to give Memorial a 13-8 lead in the final seconds of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, the Dons regained the lead when junior athlete Darien Lewis took a direct snap and ran in for a 1-yard score on fourth down. Palo Duro's extra point attempt was blocked and Eric Mims' team held a 14-13 advantage with more than 10 minutes left until halftime.

Following a field goal from the Mavericks, Lewis took a screen pass from Reese 67 yards down the sideline for his second touchdown of the half. The Dons originally converted their two-point attempt, but — after a penalty nullified the play — Palo Duro led 20-16 with less than three minutes left in the second quarter.

Memorial scored first coming out of the break when Johnson broke multiple tackles on his way to a 19-yard touchdown run that put the Mavericks ahead 23-20. The Dons answered with an 8-yard strike from Reese to sophomore wideout Kyron Brown to reclaim a four-point lead.

Once again, Memorial answered Palo Duro's scoring drive — this time with a 35-yard pass from Castles to senior wideout Romen Peel. After taking a three-point lead on Peel's touchdown catch, the Mavericks extended their advantage to 37-27 on the next drive with a 26-yard run from Powell.

Powell scored again on a 6-yard run to close out the contest.

They said it

Palo Duro football coach Eric Mims Sr.: "Certain times of the game we played well, other times of the game we didn't. We've got to put together a complete game, we're too streaky, and streak teams don't win games. So, we have to play more consistent. As far as quarterback play, (Julian Reese II) threw a couple of touchdowns, I think he threw three. Played a really good game and we've just got to keep building on that momentum for him as a sophomore. His reads and making plays."

Wichita Falls Memorial football coach Marc Bindel: "I really thought we just kind of stuck with our game plan and we played well in the second half. You know, Palo Duro, hats off to Coach (Eric) Mims and what they've got going on. They're building something really great, we feel like, over there. But I like our kids and where they're at. A new school, bringing three schools together. Their mentality at the end of the first half was not great, but they really came together at halftime and I think in the second half it was fun to watch and fun to play."

Wichita Falls Memorial quarterback Joe Castles: "We'll use (the win) as a good mind thinking, like, just to know that we can do it. No one can stop us in this district, and if we just play like we should, we'll win."

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Up next

The Dons will travel to Abilene Wylie on Friday, Oct. 11 for their second district matchup as Palo Duro looks for its first win in league competition. The Mavericks have a bye in Week 7, and will return to action against Abilene Wylie at home on Oct. 18.

Memorial 44, Palo Duro 27

District 2-5A Division II game

Palo Duro 8 12 7 0 — 27

WF Memorial 13 3 14 14 — 44

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

PD — Julian Reese II 46-yard pass to Raymond Johnson IV (Two-point attempt good)

M — Joe Castles 9-yard pass to Eric Powell (Two-point attempt failed)

M — Joe Castles 22-yard pass to Jamari Dean (Jackson Bohannon kick good)

Second quarter

PD — Darien Lewis 1-yard run (Luis Fuentes-Navarrete kick blocked)

M — Kenji Johnson 25-yard field goal attempt GOOD

PD — Julian Reese II 67-yard pass to Darien Lewis (Two-point attempt failed)

Third quarter

M — Kenji Johnson 19-yard run (Jackson Bohannon kick good)

PD — Julian Reese II 8-yard pass to Kyron Brown (Luis Fuentes-Navarrete kick good)

M — Joe Castles 35-yard pass to Romen Peel (Jackson Bohannon kick good)

Fourth quarter

M — Eric Powell 26-yard run (Jackson Bohannon kick good)

M — Eric Powell 6-yard run (Jackson Bohannon kick good)

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: WF Memorial football uses rushing attack to power past Palo Duro in district matchup