Missed opportunities hinder Weaver
WEAVER — Missed opportunities and mistakes doomed the Weaver Bearcats Friday night as they lost their fourth consecutive game.
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Tarrant broke open a close game with a pair of time-consuming fourth-quarter drives en route to a 32-13 win over the Bearcats in a Class 3A, Region 5 matchup.
The Bearcats (2-4, 1-3) held their own through three quarters, putting together a long drive to pull within five, but it wasn't enough.
"We had our chances in the fist half, but we missed opportunities," Weaver coach Paul Farlow said. "We missed passes, dropped passes, missed blocks. We've got to continue to get better."
Bearcats quarterback Matt Craig broke free around left end for a 14-yard scoring drive with 1:46 left in the third quarter to cut Tarrant's lead to 18-13. The drive came almost entirely on the ground with tailback Quinnata Jones carrying the load. Jones, who finished with a hard-gained 85 yards, carried the ball eight times for 47 yards in the scoring drive.
The Wildcats (3-3, 3-1) put things out of reach, however, on the ensuing possession. Starting at their 35, Tarrant moved the ball 65 yards for the score, eating a whopping 6:37 off the clock. Demarcus Evans scored from 2 yards out to make it 24-13.
A Craig interception — his third of the game — on Weaver's next possession allowed the Wildcats to pad that lead. De'undre Holt made a diving interception, giving the Wildcats the ball at the Weaver 46. Paris Bledsoe scored on a 3-yard run, making it 32-13.
"We needed that one," Craig said of the game. "We were driving and getting in the red zone and then we wouldn't execute. We had three or four chances and couldn't execute."
The Bearcats were neck-and-neck with Tarrant in the first half. An interception led to an easy Wildcat score on their first possession. Tavaris Gibson returned a pick 35 yards to the Weaver 3 and then Evans scored from the 3 for a quick 6-0 lead.
Weaver displayed quick-strike ability as well, when Craig connected with Sedale Moore for a 69-yard scoring pass and a 7-6 lead.
The Bearcats blocked a Tarrant punt and took over on the Wildcats' 35, but couldn't take advantage, turning the ball over on downs at the 26.
Tarrant needed just one play to regain the lead when Gibson burst right up the middle for a 74-yard scoring run and a 12-7 lead.
The Bearcats stopped one Tarrant drive at their 3, then Grady Bragg's interception and 30-yard return with just 1:41 left in the half set the Bearcats up at the Tarrant 14. The Bearcats couldn't capitalize, however. Craig was intercepted at the 1 by Holt, ending the threat.
"We got after it a little better," Farlow said. "We've got to regroup and take them one at a time. I'm proud of the effort. We worked so hard last week. We've just got to try to get all the pieces of the puzzle."
