TAKING POSITIVE STEPS FORWARD

Despite losing District 10-2A, DII regular season finale, Meridian Yellowjackets program moving in right direction under the leadership of 2nd-year head coach Kerbow

Despite the football program taking steps in the right direction and working hard to improve throughout the 2023 Texas high school football regular season, the Meridian Yellowjackets did not get the ending to their season they wanted.

In a hard-fought, even-matchup against district 10-2A, Division II rival Frost, the Jackets could not overcome a disastrous start as the Polar Bears hung on for a 22-14 victory in the regular season finale for both teams last Friday night at Jacket Stadium.

After nightmarish opening that buried Meridian in a 22-0 hole, the Jackets (1-5 in district, 2-8 overall) won the battle on the football field for next two and a half quarters as senior running back Brayden Wehmeyer ran for two touchdowns.

“Our kids fought hard all night,” Meridian football’s second-year head coach Jim Kerbow said. “But we couldn’t overcome the multiple turnovers that put us in a hole early.

“Despite the loss, we feel like we have made a lot of progress overall in all phases of the game throughout the year. We look to return a lot of players offensively and defensively. We were also fortunate to have been able to play a JV schedule this year, which allowed our younger players to play. We will certainly be better off next season because of that.”

In the finale Friday, Frost (2-4, 5-5) took the opening kickoff and marched 66 yards on 12 plays to take an 8-0 lead they never relinquished. Although the Meridian defense did a better job slowing down the Polar Bears at times during the game, that opening drive put the Jackets in a hole they could never overcome.

“Frost used their size on their first drive to march the ball down the field, “Kerbow said. “Other than that drive, we felt like the defense played very well Friday night only giving up 16 points.”

Immediately following Frost’s opening drive touchdown, a special teams breakdown put the Jackets in an even deeper hole as the Polar Bears recovered a fumble on the kickoff, broke a tackle and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, then ran it in for the two-point conversion as Frost quickly jumped out to a 16-0 lead.

“Obviously, those two occurrences could have been back breaking,” Kerbow said. “But our kids showed a lot of pride hanging in there and continuing to fight. But those two quick scores were the difference in the ball game.”

After falling behind quickly, the Meridian defense rose to the occasion as Wehmeyer led the Jackets with 15 tackles while breaking up four passes, followed by sophomore Jesse Scott with 14 takedowns and an interception, as well as senior Noah Alvizo with 13 tackles.

Against Frost, the Jacket offense did not run a play from scrimmage until they traveled by 16 points. Although on the move during their opening possession, the Jackets turned the ball over. And after a Meridian interception, the Polar Bears capitalized to take a 22-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Even though the Jackets only ran 32 offensive plays from scrimmage, Meridian still produced 209 yards of total offense. Wehmeyer led the Jackets with 78 yards rushing on 11 carries while catching two passes for another 27 yards. Junior quarterback Matty Jones completed 10 of 17 passes for 127 despite three interceptions, connecting with Scott five times for 80 yards.

“We had some kids really step up and make some plays to get us in a position to win the football,” Kerbow said. “But ultimately, we could not overcome the turnovers.”

Although Meridian will only be losing four seniors in Noah Alvizo, Austin Pogue, Brayden Wehmeyer, and John Wyatt, they have been impact players for the Jackets this season and have played significant roles in the growth of Jacket football program the last two years.

On the offensive side of the ball, Wehmeyer led the Jackets with 832 yards rushing with seven touchdowns while catching 15 passes for 160 yards and two scores as Pogue got the job done in the trenches, and Wyatt contributed on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Alvizo led Meridian with 81 tackles while Wehmeyer tallied 51 takedowns, three interceptions and a fumble recovery

“Our seniors have made a huge impact on this team,” Kerbow said. “Noah, Austin, Brayden and John have all made a huge impact on this football program, these four guys really bought in to what we are trying to build here and have led by example with their work ethic and dedication to the overall program.

“The football program and entire boys athletic program would not have made the progress it has made without those four young men.”