There was something of an unknown element going into the first game for the Apalachee High School Wildcats.
The Lanier High School Longhorns, who provided the season opening test for AHS, is still a relatively new program having played just four varsity games in 2011. Plus, there is always the unknown factor of how well a team will play in the first game of a new campaign, as Wildcat coach Shane Davis knows all too well.
In the end, AHS passed the first test of the season and emerged with a 21-11 victory.
Eric Tanner rushed for 174 yards and two scores on 25 attempts. Teammate Zay Henry added 100 yards on only six carries, including an 80-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
“I thought Eric played extremely well,” Davis said. “Our line also did a very good job in what turned out to be a very difficult game. Defensively, we played well even though they got one on us. We bent a few times, but overall we did a good job of keeping them out of the end zone.”
After Henry’s quick score, the Wildcats moved in front 14-0 on a 7-yard run by Tanner. The scoring drive, which covered 58 yards on eight plays, was set up by a Lanier fumble.
The host Longhorns, who are playing their first full season of varsity competition, cut the lead to 14-3 after a 40-yard field goal with 8:24 to play in the third quarter. Things got a little more interesting as a 15-yard touchdown run by Bernard Buckles and a successful two-point conversion trimmed the lead to 14-11.
However, Tanner appeared determined not to let the game get away as he added another score, this time from 14 yards out.
There was plenty of praise for Apalachee’s players in the trenches. Led by tight end Austin Miller, right tackle Johnny Thompson, right guard Roosevelt Crum, center Jonathan Dye, left guard Josh Doman and left tackle Joseph Goss, the Wildcats had success moving the football throughout the contest.
“I was very proud of them,” Davis said. “We had to move some people around and we still have a long way to go, but our line made a big difference for us Friday.”
Doman and Miller started every game in 2011 while Doss was in for four games at tackle. Crum is a first-year starter up front.
The line helped clear the way for 374 rushing yards in the 2012 season opener.
“When they cut the lead to three, the momentum had swung to them,” Davis said. “However, we responded with a long drive. A penalty on them helped us, but we also gave them some help with some penalties. We just continued to fight the whole time and never panicked. I give a great deal of credit to our players and to our coaching staff. They did what it took to go out and get a win in a situation where it was not easy.”
Offensive coordinator Joel Miller, while happy with the victory, said there is definite room for improvement.
"I cant say that i felt great after the Lanier game, but I was proud of the way our kids continued to fight with all the injuries and cramping that they went through," Miller said. "We had opportuniites to blow the game open early but we failed to execute. We also had a chnce to lose the game late and we executed a long drive for a touchdown when we needed it. The stats look OK, but three turnovers and numerous missed assginments have got to be fixed if we want to win in this region."
