Posted on Fri, Nov. 03, 2006
Birdville makes playoffs
By NAKIA HOGAN
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS -- For all the yards and points his offense racked up Thursday night, Birdville coach Jim Skinner needed to thank his defense when it was all over.
On a night when defensive stops were at a premium, the Birdville defense came up big in the second half, helping the Hawks to a 70-44 victory over Springtown at BISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex.
The victory helped the Hawks (8-0 5-0 in 6-4A) clinch a playoff berth, while keeping them in the hunt for the district title. Birdville closes the regular season next week against Fossil Ridge.
"It doesn't matter how many points you score, your defense has got to make some stops," Skinner said. "Because if you don't everybody is going to score."
It appeared that both teams were on pace for a record night. They combined to compile more than 1,100 yards and 114 points.
Birdville quarterback Tommy Dorman completed 16 of 24 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed 13 times for 103 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Hawks to touchdowns on 10 of their 11 possessions.
"We were clicking. We practiced hard all week," Dorman said. "I knew with a big offense like they have, we were going to have to come out and score almost every time we got the ball and that's what happened."
But the Hawks needed some defense, too.
Springtown quarterback Logan Turner completed 36 of 60 passes for 509 yards and five touchdowns. But the Hawks intercepted him three times in the game to help seal the win.
He narrowly missed breaking the record for single-game passing yards. That is held by Kirk Saul of Turkey Valley, who threw for 590 yards against Chillicothe in 1986, according to Dave Campbell's Texas Football.
"That young man, I don't think he missed any receivers all night," Skinner said of Turner. "He was very accurate. We knew that coming in. And they do a great job of catching the football. It was just a matter if what defense could cause some turnovers, and luckily our defense could."
The loss all but eliminated the Porcupines (4-6, 3-3) from playoff contention.
Birdville broke the game open in the fourth quarter, scoring on three consecutive possessions to increase its lead to 70-38.
Dorman's 1-yard run and 31-yard scoring pass to Jason Martinson, who caught nine passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns, pushed the lead to 63-38 before Coco Udoka scored on a 1-yard run.
BIRDVILLE 70, SPRINGTOWN 44
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Nakia Hogan, 817-390-7760 [email protected]