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Wharton Finds Inspiration

Tribune photo by JIM REED

Wharton #28 Shane McEwen looks for running room against Alonso Friday night at Wharton.

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By GREGG BECNEL

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 22, 2008

Updated: 11/22/2008 12:33 am

TAMPA - There is no denying Wharton had an enormous intangible advantage going into its Class 5A region quarterfinal matchup against Alonso on Friday.

And while it's impossible to say for sure what effect it had on the outcome, the Wildcats certainly turned in an inspired performance in the wake of defensive coordinator Earl Goodman's sudden death Nov. 8 to defeat the Ravens 35-28 at Mitchell D. Muley Stadium.

"Even though Coach Earl is not here with us," Wharton coach David Mitchell said, "his presence is all around us."

The Wildcats honored Goodman, who died of an apparent heart attack, by wearing "EG" stickers on their helmets. His initials also were painted at midfield inside the Wildcats' paw and the band formed Goodman's initials during its pregame performance.

Fittingly, the game came down to a defensive stance by Wharton.

With the Wildcats up 35-28, Alonso got the ball at its 39-yard line with 48.7 seconds remaining. After driving to the Wharton 27, Ravens quarterback C.J. Bennett threw a pass toward the right side of the end zone, but junior cornerback Terrence Hicks batted it away with no time remaining to preserve the win.

"I was just trying to stay calm," Mitchell said. "But in those last 48 seconds, my mind was on the defensive coordinator we lost. I felt his presence, and our guys rose to the occasion."

Jairus Jones put the Wildcats up for good with a 55-yard touchdown reception from Andrew Clifford with less than a minute remaining. After being flushed from the pocket, Clifford tossed the ball 25 yards down the left sideline. Jones made a leaping catch, turned his body, then bobbed and weaved his way the final 30 yards for the score.

Jones scored four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) and finished with six catches for 110 yards.

"I don't know about anybody else, but I dedicated this game to Coach Earl," Jones said. "We felt him around us. He might not have been here physically, but spiritually he was there on the sideline with us."

Wharton's defense set the tone early as the Wildcats went into the half with a 20-7 lead.

Of the Ravens' six possessions before halftime, two ended on fumbles, one on an interception and another on downs at the Wharton 1-yard line.

"I wish we could take away some of those early turnovers," Alonso coach Mike Heldt said. "But we fought hard and never gave up."

Both quarterbacks turned in phenomenal performances. Bennett was 26 of 47 for 348 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Clifford was 18-for-33 for 295 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Wharton (9-2), which has won nine straight games, will play at Chamberlain in next week's region semifinal round. Alonso, which lost three of its final four games, finished its season 7-4.

And while the Wildcats were elated to get the win, the celebration was understandably subdued.

"It's bittersweet. We lost a loved one, but won the game," Jones said. "This one was for Coach Earl."

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