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Golden Eagles should be proud
By Michael Sudhalter
A classic matchup had just ended, and Klein Forest football coach Kenny Hammock politely asked me if I could talk to him later.
Fair enough.
The Golden Eagles’ (9-2) magical season had just ended with a 22-15 loss to Cy Woods last Friday at Klein Memorial Stadium in the second round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
Obviously, the loss stung because Klein Forest had won seven straight games and a share of its first district championship since 2002.
I’m hoping that those accomplishments will help the team – pardon the incredibly cheesy pun – see the forest for the trees.
They had an excellent season, and in their playoff loss, they largely controlled the tempo against a team that was scoring 50 points or more on a regular basis, turning it into a defensive, low-scoring affair.
Hammock and his players often repeat the mantra “Tradition Never Graduates” when referring to their program.
If tradition graduated, it wouldn’t be tradition. It would be a fad, and that’s not the case with the Golden Eagles.
They’ve managed to win four of their nine games by three points and another one by six.
I agree with Hammock when he said, “The kids have great tenacity. They know how to play in close games. Texas has tough football, and we’re just glad to be on top.”
“We’re not a very blow ‘em out type team cause we play ball control, and we have a good defense. The games we play are gonna be close.”
When you play in that many close games, odds are that eventually you’re going to come out on the losing end.
But it wasn’t for lack of effort last Friday.
I sat in the press box questioning why Hammock faked a field goal and failed on fourth down, trailing 15-7 with about 10 minutes remaining in the game. Junior kicker Jacob Decker is automatic, and he’s provided the difference in five of those nine wins.
Well, folks, there’s a reason why Hammock is a Class 5A football coach and I’m not.
Although the fake field goal didn’t work, it created momentum for the usually-conservative Golden Eagles at a time when they desperately needed it.
It also got them good field position, and eventually, a touchdown/successful two-point conversion from senior running back Dominic Wilkins to tie the game at 15.
Like so many times before this season, Cy Woods scored on a quick strike (5 plays for 75 yards) to take a 22-15 lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Klein Forest isn’t in the same category as a quick-strike team, and I didn’t foresee a comeback after Cy Woods senior quarterback Lucas Devilliers scored what proved to be the winning touchdown.
I hope that Hammock and the players will spend the holiday season, thinking about their incredible experience in Canton, Ohio when they visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame and beat Warren Howland, considered one of the top teams in Ohio.
And how they bounced back from an eight-turnover, 28-point loss to Klein Oak, to turn around and upset Spring Westfield, 33-30 in overtime. The Mustangs were ranked No. 53 nationally by rivals.com at the time.
Or the twin three-point victories over Klein ISD rivals, Klein and Klein Collins. The Golden Eagles rallied from a 17-10 deficit with 1:25 in the Collins’ game to keep the Tigers from advancing to the playoffs and putting another team in (Klein) the postseason.
Then, there was the 13-7 win over Conroe, in which Hammock beat his alma mater on the road.
I’m not saying the Golden Eagles shouldn’t feel disappointed with their loss. It’s only natural.
I just hope they temper that disappointment with the joy and success that defined so much of their 2008 season.
Fair enough.
The Golden Eagles’ (9-2) magical season had just ended with a 22-15 loss to Cy Woods last Friday at Klein Memorial Stadium in the second round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
Obviously, the loss stung because Klein Forest had won seven straight games and a share of its first district championship since 2002.
I’m hoping that those accomplishments will help the team – pardon the incredibly cheesy pun – see the forest for the trees.
They had an excellent season, and in their playoff loss, they largely controlled the tempo against a team that was scoring 50 points or more on a regular basis, turning it into a defensive, low-scoring affair.
Hammock and his players often repeat the mantra “Tradition Never Graduates” when referring to their program.
If tradition graduated, it wouldn’t be tradition. It would be a fad, and that’s not the case with the Golden Eagles.
They’ve managed to win four of their nine games by three points and another one by six.
I agree with Hammock when he said, “The kids have great tenacity. They know how to play in close games. Texas has tough football, and we’re just glad to be on top.”
“We’re not a very blow ‘em out type team cause we play ball control, and we have a good defense. The games we play are gonna be close.”
When you play in that many close games, odds are that eventually you’re going to come out on the losing end.
But it wasn’t for lack of effort last Friday.
I sat in the press box questioning why Hammock faked a field goal and failed on fourth down, trailing 15-7 with about 10 minutes remaining in the game. Junior kicker Jacob Decker is automatic, and he’s provided the difference in five of those nine wins.
Well, folks, there’s a reason why Hammock is a Class 5A football coach and I’m not.
Although the fake field goal didn’t work, it created momentum for the usually-conservative Golden Eagles at a time when they desperately needed it.
It also got them good field position, and eventually, a touchdown/successful two-point conversion from senior running back Dominic Wilkins to tie the game at 15.
Like so many times before this season, Cy Woods scored on a quick strike (5 plays for 75 yards) to take a 22-15 lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Klein Forest isn’t in the same category as a quick-strike team, and I didn’t foresee a comeback after Cy Woods senior quarterback Lucas Devilliers scored what proved to be the winning touchdown.
I hope that Hammock and the players will spend the holiday season, thinking about their incredible experience in Canton, Ohio when they visited the Pro Football Hall of Fame and beat Warren Howland, considered one of the top teams in Ohio.
And how they bounced back from an eight-turnover, 28-point loss to Klein Oak, to turn around and upset Spring Westfield, 33-30 in overtime. The Mustangs were ranked No. 53 nationally by rivals.com at the time.
Or the twin three-point victories over Klein ISD rivals, Klein and Klein Collins. The Golden Eagles rallied from a 17-10 deficit with 1:25 in the Collins’ game to keep the Tigers from advancing to the playoffs and putting another team in (Klein) the postseason.
Then, there was the 13-7 win over Conroe, in which Hammock beat his alma mater on the road.
I’m not saying the Golden Eagles shouldn’t feel disappointed with their loss. It’s only natural.
I just hope they temper that disappointment with the joy and success that defined so much of their 2008 season.
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