MAGNOLIA - Every senior wanted to hold the trophy.
They wanted to group together on the field after and make sure they captured the moment. To the outgoing Magnolia seniors winning the Magnolia Bowl trophy for a second-straight year was special.
"It's something I'll never forget," Magnolia quarterback Travis Moore said after the 21-14 victory over Magnolia West. "The rivalry between Mag and Mag West is just one of the greatest feelings in the world. I've never been more honored to share this with my team."
Matthew Wykoff added: "It's awesome. I've been playing with these boys since the seventh grade and it's a great feeling to walk off as a senior and know we'll never lose that game. Won it two years in a row, it's a great feeling."
The win marked the seventh-straight for Magnolia as it improved to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in District 8-5A-DI play with games against Porter and New Caney left on the regular season docket.
Here are my five big takeaways from the 2020 Magnolia Bowl!
Travis Moore is Dynamic
🎥 VYPE Clip - WOOP!! @DogFootball QB @travis__moore put a defender on skates ... He is very elusive! Moore has had some big runs tonight already. #txhsfb @WykoffMatthew @BenColigan_ @_gharp @MaxPreps @nathanhakes11 @CedricHarris12 @KPRC2RandyMc @MagnoliaISD @ToddFreed57 pic.twitter.com/53fsDYzrVy
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) November 14, 2020
When you look at Magnolia, Mitch Hall pops off the stat sheet. Don't worry we will get to him next. But first let's talk about Moore. The signal-caller is dynamic. He knows when to put it in the gut of Hall but also when to pull it back and go. He can shake a defender and has the speed to get downfield. He had multiple long runs in the game. He finished with 204 yards rushing but he can also sling it as he passed for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Moore and Hall have chemistry in the backfield and it is fun to watch as they have a little trickery up his sleeve on how he sells the run versus the pass. (Stats from Jon Poorman of Conroe Courier)
Postgame Interview: Magnolia QB Travis Moore
VYPE POSTGAME: @DogFootball QB @travis__moore stops by to talk after winning the Magnolia Bowl. A few big runs by him in the game and clutch throws. #txhsfb@WykoffMatthew @travis_moore @BenColigan_ @_gharp @mitchhallll @nathanhakes11 @CedricHarris12 @KPRC2RandyMc @MagnoliaISD pic.twitter.com/UsPo9cmvYe
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) November 14, 2020
Mitch Hall is Patient & Powerful
TOUCHDOWN: @DogFootball: RB @mitchhallll patiently waits for the holes to open and he’s in from 18 yards out! #txhsfb
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) November 14, 2020
1st - 0:30@DogFootball - 14@MagWestFootball - 0@WykoffMatthew @BenColigan_ @_gharp @travis__moore @nathanhakes11 @CedricHarris12 @KPRC2RandyMc @MagnoliaISD pic.twitter.com/uXtxh1KWiI
A good running back will be patient. He will allow the lanes to open up and then hit the throttle for the score. Hall holds the ball up high as he runs. He is really patient when it comes to running the ball. I really like his running style and he has the build of a big running back. Hall had 124 yards on the ground by night's end.
After the game, VYPE talked with center Matthew Wykoff, who is verbally committed to Texas A&M. and he said, "Travis and Mitch they are both studs. I'm so blessed to have them behind me. As much as I try to make them look good, they make me look better." High praise from one of the big men up front.
Postgame Interview: Magnolia Head Coach Craig Martin
VYPE POSTGAME: Caught up with @DogFootball HC Craig Martin as his team wins the #MagnoliaBowl 21-14 and improves to 7-1 on the year and 6-0 in district. #txhsfb @WykoffMatthew @travis_moore @BenColigan_ @mitchhallll @nathanhakes11 @CedricHarris12 @KPRC2RandyMc @MagnoliaISD pic.twitter.com/b2Bj7X4PZm
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) November 14, 2020
Dog Defense has Bite
On fourth down the @DogFootball defense HOLDS!!! Turnover on downs with 1:30 left in game. #txhsfb@WykoffMatthew @travis_moore @BenColigan_ @_gharp @MaxPreps @nathanhakes11 @CedricHarris12 @KPRC2RandyMc @MagnoliaISD @ToddFreed57 @mitchhallll pic.twitter.com/VeFeIgptBA
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) November 14, 2020
This was hands down the biggest game of the season for either team and each defense would be tested. The Magnolia defense didn't get scored on in the first two quarters of the play. To open the third quarter, Will Alexander picked off Brock Dalton. At the end of the game, after giving up a pair of scores, the Magnolia defense held taught as Dalton was forced to throw before he wanted too and it was off-target. Magnolia's defense is really good. It has hard-hitting linebacker, power up front and a good secondary. Magnolia's defense has helped the team win seven-straight games.
Hunter Bilbo - A Hard Runner
TOUCHDOWN @MagWestFootball: RB @HunterBilbo goes rumbling through the defenders to plow in from 13 yards out. Mustangs on the board. #txhsfb
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) November 14, 2020
3rd - 6:36 @DogFootball - 14@westmustangs - 7@MarcCollins88 @brockdalton03 @HaydenJansky @MagnoliaISD @KPRC2RandyMc @MagWestVB pic.twitter.com/OOHueEtotp
When Magnolia West needed back in the game, the Mustangs turned to their veteran running back. Hunter Bilbo, we knew about him coming into the year. Compared to Mitch Hall, his rival back across town, Bilbo looks a littler smaller and stockier. Bilbo is that third-down back who can power through the line. On his first score of the night, Bilbo knows how to put his foot in the turf and make a cut. He then showed his power blowing right through a pair of would-be tacklers. Bilbo rushed for 103 yards on 22 carries, according to the Conroe Courier's Jon Poorman. Bilbo is a nice back and key to Magnolia West the rest of the way.
Ben Coligan - Big Offensive Target
TOUCHDOWN @DogFootball: QB Travis Moore hits @BenColigan_ for the 11 yard touchdown.
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) November 14, 2020
1st - 4:16 @MagnoliaHighTX - 7@MagWestFootball - 0#txhsfb @TXHSFB @KPRC2RandyMc @WykoffMatthew @mitchhallll @nathanhakes11 @MagnoliaISD @ToddFreed57 @HTownHSS pic.twitter.com/yxW2xqM5Ha
While Travis Moore and Mitch Hall were running all over the defense on Friday night, one of the big options through the air was Ben Coligan. The senior tight end is a quality route runner. Look at the route on his 11-yard touchdown reception. Coligan comes off the end, looks off the linebacker with his head to his left with a quick twitch before cutting the route back across the middle, which got him open for the score. It was a quick but very nice route. Coligan also had an 87-yard reception to begin the fourth quarter. I really like what he brings to the offense for Magnolia. A nice target for Travis Moore.
Postgame Interview: Magnolia OL Matthew Wykoff
VYPE Postgame: Caught up with @WykoffMatthew (@AggieFootball commit) after the game to talk the win over Mag West, the season and looking forward towards the rest of the year. #txhsfb @DogFootball @travis_moore @BenColigan_ @TexAgs @CedricHarris12 @KPRC2RandyMc @MagnoliaISD pic.twitter.com/okwMGAvHBA
— vypehouston (@vypehouston) November 14, 2020