OUT, BUT NOT DOWN

After being eliminated from Class 2A, DII playoff possibilities in Hico, Meridian Yellowjackets close out District 10-2A, DII season hosting Frost Polar Bears Friday

Even without the torrential rains last week, the Meridian Yellowjackets entered the final two games of the 2023 Texas high school football season on slippery ground. After all, the Jackets needed to win their final two games of the regular season to make their first trip to the playoffs since 2017.

Facing a District 10-2A, Division II do-or-die situation, the Jackets saw their dream of the postseason slip away as the playoff-bound Hico Tigers capitalized on opportunities in the inclement weather to eliminate Meridian, 27-7, last Friday night at the historic Tiger Stadium.

“We had some miscues defensively that cost us, as well as a special teams error,” Meridian football second-year head coach Jim Kerbow said. “And offensively, we struggled moving the football until the fourth quarter. However, the effort was there. Our kids gave great effort throughout the game, even though we had several lightning delays. We, as a coaching staff, are very proud of our kids for the progress they have made this season.”

Coming off the strong, yet disappointing effort on the road against Hico and being eliminated from playoff possibilities, the Jackets (1-4, 2-7) will wrap up the regular season at home with a District 10-2A, DII matchup against the Frost Polar Bears (1-4, 4-5) at 7 p.m. Friday at Jacket Stadium. The Polar Bears posted their first district win of the season by beating winless Hubbard (0-5, 0-9), 48-22, last Friday night. Last season, Meridian snapped a 13-game losing streak with a dramatic 28-27 road victory over Frost.

“Frost has some size both on the offensive line and in the backfield,” Kerbow said. “They throw and catch the football pretty well. Therefore, we will have to play great technique and be good tacklers defensively Friday if we want to shut down their offense.

“Offensively, we will have to execute, stay with our blocks and catch the football. If we can do these things, we can end the season on a high note and set the tone for next year.”

Against Hico (4-2, 7-3), the Jacket offense struggled to move the ball for three quarters, managing only 81 yards of total offense while running only 30 plays from scrimmage. Scoring Meridian’s only touchdown, junior quarterback Matty Jones led the Jackets with 40 yards rushing while completing five of 14 passes for 26 yards, connecting with sophomore Jesse Scott twice for 20 yards.

“Offensively, we struggled moving the football on the ground and in the air,” Kerbow said. “I believe the elements had a lot to do some of our miscues offensively.”

Consequently, the Tigers controlled the game and enjoyed a short field to work with early in the game, putting pressure on the Meridian defense. In fact, Meridian could not get a first down in its first three possessions of the game as the Tigers built a 21-0 lead before the Jackets attempted a 35-yard field as time expired in the first half.

Meridian stayed within striking distance until late in the game as the Jackets defense set the tone for the defensive battle when senior Brayden Wehmeyer intercepted a Tiger pass just outside the endzone to snuff out a potential scoring drive on Hico’s first possession of the game.

But the Meridian defense had their back against the wall the entire game. Regardless, the defensive effort kept the Jackets in the game until Hico iced the win with 1:46 remaining. Scott led the Jackets with a season-high 19 tackles, followed by Wehmeyer with eight, senior Noah Alvizo with seven, as well as senior John Wyatt and sophomore Garrett Pope with five apiece.

“Our defense came up big with an interception by Brayden Wehmeyer on that first series inside the red zone to set the tone for a defensive battle most of the night,” Kerbow said. “Dustin Padgett and Josh Nunez at the outside linebacker positions played outstanding technique, which took away some of that downhill run game, which is what Hico wants to do offensively.

“Also, Matthew Jones and Ian Gomez had good night defensively in the secondary by setting our edges and limiting Hico’s passing game. We need to continue to grow from this effort and finish the season strong.”