Manvel 70, Cl. Creek 56
The Mavericks score four fourthquarter TDs to win.
PASADENA — With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Manvel scored its 10th touchdown, but the scoreboard operator did not give the Mavericks the extra point on the scoreboard until after the ensuing kickoff.
Manvel coach Kirk Martin complained to the men in stripes. He wasn’t sure 69 points would be enough.
“The officials thought I was funny,” Martin said. “I said, ‘It’s supposed to say 70, right?’ I mean, we made it.”
Manvel has put up astronomical scores all season, but for the first time Friday night the Mavericks thought they needed every single one of them.
Manvel won a thriller over Clear Creek 70-56 in the second round of the Class 6A, Division II playoffs at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The Mavericks (10-2) will face Strake Jesuit in the Region III semifinals at 8 p.m. Friday at NRG Stadium.
Clear Creek finishes the season with a schoolrecord 11 victories.
Running back D’Vaughn Pennamon rushed 23 times for 360 yards and scored five touchdowns. His last touchdown came on a 26-yard run with two minutes left in the game. It gave Manvel all the points it needed with a 63-49 lead.
“We leaned on him tonight,” Martin said. “He’s a special back, and we have some really good guys up front blocking for him.”
Quarterback D’Eriq King showed again why he is a high-profile recruit, too. The TCU pledge rushed 18 times for 227 yards and one touchdown. He also passed for 195 yards and two scores.
A game with 18 touchdowns has a lot of big plays, but none was bigger than the one on which King scored his rushing touchdown.
With Manvel clinging to a seven-point lead, it faced a 3rd-and-13 from its 35. King failed to find anyone open downfield so he took off down the left sideline and scored on a 65-yard run.
“He sits back there, and if he can’t throw the ball then he’ll take off and run,” Clear Creek coach Darrell Warden said. “That’s as dangerous as throwing the ball. He’s two players. He’s a passer and then all of a sudden he’s another running back. It’s like playing against 12 guys.”
Clear Creek quarterback Chase Hildreth passed for 571 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught a touchdown pass from Landon Etzel.
Etzel caught 11 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Brandon Hower, Andy Wiesen and Da’Von Smith also scored touchdowns and went over 100 yards receiving for Clear Creek.