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The Tomball Cougars Celebrate their Round 3 Victory
VYPEU: A Cinderella Story; Tomball Upsets Rockwall-Heath
Last night the Tomball Cougars (10-3) upset the Rockwall-Heath Hawks (11-2) 35-21 punching Tomball's ticket to the Regional Quarterfinals next Saturday at the brand new Tomball ISD Stadium.
Going into round III of the 6A Division II playoffs, the majority of the Texas High School Football community had Rockwall-Heath winning over Tomball. To say they were anything but incorrect would be an understatement as Tomball, once again, upset yet another state ranked team.
From the get-go Tomball punched Rockwall-Heath in the mouth as Army West Point commit Cale Hellums kept it on the quarterback keeper putting the Cougars up seven. The Cougar defense matched the energy of the offense, forcing the Hawk offense to go three and out making them punt.
Immediately after the punt, Hellums once again kept it, this time taking it 71 yards to the house putting the Cougars up fourteen.
TOUCHDOWN COUGARS
After a four and out for the Hawks, quarterback @calehellums10 takes it all the way on the first play of the drive putting the Cougars up two touchdowns
Tomball: 14
Rockwall-Heath: 0
3:48 left in the first quarter #TXHSFB | @footballtomball | @ashtonjlux pic.twitter.com/JZql1oz9Uw
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 28, 2021
In response to the Cougar offense, Minnesota commit Zach Evans took off for a rushing touchdown of his own to make it 14-7 heading into the second quarter.
After back to back dry three and outs for the Cougar offense, Indiana commit Josh Hoover threw his first touchdown of the night to Sophomore Fletcher Fierro tying the game at fourteen with 7:23 left in the second quarter.
As time ticked the Cougar offense completed the two minute drill as Junior Christian Womack battled his way in putting the Cougars up 21-14 heading into halftime.
Heading into the second half of play the Hawks were set to receive the ball and were unable to get any offense going in their favor. Capitalizing on the opportunity, Tomball drove down field and set up Junior Carlos Alvarado for a 41 yard field goal putting them up 24-14.
Determined not to let the game out of reach, Josh Hoover found yet another hole and fired one in putting them within three points heading into the fourth quarter.
Once again the Cougar offense drove downfield and finished with a 37 yard field goal from kicker, Carlos Alvarado. Tomballs defense came up big yet again which gave the offense great field position. Allowing Hellums to score yet again for his third touchdown of the night putting the Cougars up 35-21 with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter.
TOUCHDOWN COUGARS
Folks, quarterback @calehellums10 has shown up big time tonight and has declared that he is “Too big"
Tomball: 35
Rockwall-Heath: 21
3:50 left in the fourth quarter #TXHSFB | @footballtomball | @ashtonjlux pic.twitter.com/oo0dfybr8V
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 28, 2021
To put the nail in the coffin, Senior defensive back Davis Morton picked off Josh Hoover allowing the Cougar offense to set up in victory formation taking home their third gold ball of the year.
INTERCEPTION COUGARS
Once again the Cougar defense comes up big tonight as they pick off Josh Hoover
Tomball: 35
Rockwall-Heath: 21
2:36 left in the fourth quarter #TXHSFB | @footballtomball | @ashtonjlux pic.twitter.com/j083V2V5lb
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 28, 2021
Cale Hellums led all charges with 311 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. Christian Womack added 92 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own.
The Cougars will take on the Bridgeland Bears (11-2) at home next Saturday at the brand new Tomball ISD Stadium in the Regional Quarterfinals for a shot at the state tournament.
Bridgeland defeated Cedar Hill earlier in the day 32-18, the Bears are led by Five Star Dual-Threat, A&M commit, Quarterback Conner Weigman. Weigman's status is currently in question as he went down early in the first quarter of their game after taking a late hit on his rushing touchdown.
Nonetheless, the Cougars continue to prepare, keeping the underdog mentality as they are considered one of the "most slept on" teams in the state.
"We are going to prepare the way we would if [Conner Weigman] was playing," Hellums said. "We do not care who we are playing, we will prepare the same way."
VYPE Houston Helmet Stickers: 2021 Bi-District Playoffs
HOUSTON - The first round of the 2021 Texas high school football playoffs did not disappoint at all.
There were some big wins - aka Barbers Hill defeating Fort Bend Marshall 42-21 - and some bigtime performances across the board in a lot of playoff victories.
Check out who earned a VYPE Helmet Sticker this week for their Bi-District Playoff performance.
To read more become a VYPE Insider TODAY!
Cale Hellums - Tomball
TOUCHDOWN @FootballTomball!!
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 12, 2021
There goes that bad man!! @calehellums10 right up the middle for the Cougars score. Second rushing TD for him. #txhsfb
3rd - 1:37
Tomball - 42
Cy Park - 21
(@ChristianWomac7 @travisbates26 @TomballISD @HTownHSS @LandonRoaten @alexradow) pic.twitter.com/gnXbIvzfdN
Cale Hellums was an absolute game-changer in Tomball's 52-29 victory over Cy Park last week. Hellums, who is committed to Army went 4 of 7 for 137 yards, 2 TDs and then rushed for 253 yards and two scores on 15 carries. It was his ability to take off with the ball that had the Cy Park defense back on their heels. Hellums running ability may be a bit underrated because he can scoot. He knows where the first-down marker is and knows when to abandon the play and run out of bounds safely. Hellums also took care of the ball with no interceptions or fumbles. He is a key factor in the playoff run that Tomball is about to go on.
"That dude elevates everybody around him," Tomball coach Kevin Flanigan said. "He's special. We've got a lot of great players and Cale is part of it and just elevates him the whole team."
PJ Hatter - Klein Oak
The 4th and 4 keeper by @PrestonHatter2 puts 6 on the board for KO! 7-7, 9:20, 1st. @KLEINOAKFB @KleinOak @vypehouston @dctf pic.twitter.com/enrV9hWE5t
— Thomas Hensley (@thomashensley) November 13, 2021
PJ Hatter put on a SHOW on Friday. The Klein Oak quarterback in a 49-35 victory over Cypress Ranch went 8 of 17 for 238 yards, 3 TDs through the air and then rushed for another 133 yards and four touchdowns on 12 carries. Hatter accounted for 7 touchdowns and 371 yards of offense in the win. That is a heck of a performance in the opening round of the playoffs.
Brent Holdren - Barbers Hill
And just like that BH takes down the powerhouse they was Fort Bend Marshall to move on to the next round. #EFH @abseckbhfb pic.twitter.com/03oYAnvSkP
— 3rdCoastLiveSports (@3csportslive) November 13, 2021
Barbers Hill sent shockwaves through the state on Friday when they upset undefeated Fort Bend Marshall. One of the keys to victory was the play of Brent Holdren. The QB1 for Carl Abseck's crew was 25 of 43 for 314 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs and rushed for 169 yards and 3 TDs on 38 carries.
Rueben Owens II - El Campo
11 carries for 205 but the only stat that matters in TXHSFB is the dubb. Great team win let’s keep it going for the Ricebird community. #Unity @Coach_Worrell @RuebenOwens3 @Kristin77135950 @MikeWestHTX pic.twitter.com/m9QkusDytY
— Rueben Owens ll #BlackUnicorn (@ii_rueben) November 12, 2021
El Campo went to work on Friday against Jack Yates. The Rice Birds were led by superstar back Rueben Owens II, who finished with 11 carries for 202 yards and 3 TDs. The junior is having one off the best years of his career. Owens has rushed for 2,463 yards and 39 touchdowns in 11 games on 181 carries. Owens is averaging 223.9 yards per game and 13.6 per carry this season. This weekend he will surpass 4,000 career yards. According to MaxPreps, Owens currently ranks No. 3 in Texas in rushing yards this season.
Lloyd Avant - Summer Creek
Meet Class of 2024 RB Lloyd Avant. Big, bruising back with speed. He also has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and take it to the house. Avant put that and more on display in a lopsided playoff win over Channelview last week. Avant had 19 carries for 213 yards (averaging 11.3 yards per attempt) and hit the end zone five times. He then had a 20-yard touchdown reception to go with it. So, 233 yards and six scores in your first-ever playoff game. Not a bad debut for the sophomore back.