Tigers win 14-7 defensive battle over Royal
Phynon scores winning touchdown, intercepts two passes
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Staff photo by Mike Konvicka A Wharton player bring out the rally flag before Friday's District 24-3A football game against Royal. The Tigers beat the Falcons 14-7.

Wharton's first victory of the season was a defensive battle against Royal Friday night at Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers got a 13-yard touchdown run by Kenneth Phynon and an extra point kick by Justin Sherrill with only three seconds left in the third quarter to go up 14-7.

Wharton got the ball back with 9:08 remaining in the fourth quarter and grinded out almost four minutes of the clock.

The Falcons took over with 2:28 remaining and turned the ball over on downs. Wharton took over with under a minute left and ran out the clock to seal the win.

"It was a big district win," said Wharton coach Gary Van Sant. "The defense did a great job and it was an outstanding effort."

Wharton evened its 24-3A record to 1-1 and Royal has the same record.

The teams combined for less than 200 yards in total offense as the Tigers got three pass interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Wharton went three and out on its first possession to start the game and Royal took over at the Tiger 47 with 9:48 remaining.

Royal converted two fourth down plays after Brandon Douglas caught a 15-yard pass to the Tiger eight.

Three plays later Alexander scored from the one. Daniel Garcia's kick put the Falcons up 7-0 with 3:02 remaining. Alexander's score capped off the 14-play drive.

Three plays after the ensuing kickoff, Royal's Aaron Brown picked off a Wharton pass and returned it to the Tiger 18 with 1:21 remaining in the first quarter.

Wharton's Tristan Washington went down with an injury.

After a 20 minute delay, Wharton was flagged for pass interference to give Royal a first down at the Tiger 16.

Brandon Calip made it to the 13 on the first play and the quarter ended.

Two plays later, Jonavan Jones picked off a pass at the 2-yardline.

A personal foul penalty gave the Tigers the ball at their own 18 yardline.

Wharton couldn't convert on a third down and punted. Phynon recovered a Royal fumble at the Falcon 38 with 9:34 remaining in the second quarter.

Chris Taylor picked up a first down to the Falcon 27.

Two plays later Louis Byars picked up a first down at the Tiger 13. Then on a third and one from the three, Whaton was flagged for procedure to put them back to the eight.

Taylor then made it to the five to set up fourth and goal. Wharton fumbled the ball away and Royal took over at its own 7 yardline with 6:29 remaining in the second quarter.

Wharton's defense held, forced a punt and the Tigers took over at the Falcons 21 yardline with 5:03 remaining.

Felder picked up two yards on two plays.

Robert Herrera then connected with Jones in the endzone for a touchdown with 3:38 remaining until halftime.

Sherrill booted the extra point kick to tie the score at 7-7.

Wharton's defense held again and forced a punt and the Tigers took over on their own 26 yardline with 1:21 remaining.

Wharton couldn't covert and punted. The Falcons took over at the Tiger 42 with only 21 seconds left. Jordan Kirschke then picked off a pass to end the first half.

Royal took the second half kickoff and started at its own 39 yardline.

Royal punted three plays later and the Tigers took over at the Falcons 30 with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter.

Herrera picked up 12 yards to the 13 for a first down. Then on a third and eight from the 10, Herrera was thrown for a three yard loss back to the 13 to set up a fourth and 11.

Sherrill then missed a 25-yard field goal attempt with 6:24 remaining and the Falcons took over at their own 20.

The Falcons responded and drove to the Tiger 48 after a 35-yard gain by Chris Brown.

Chris Curits then raced to the Tiger 40 but holding penalty moved the ball back to Falcons on 45.

On a third down and seven, Phynon picked off a pass by Matthews and the Tigers took over at the own 31 yardline with 2:41 remaining.

Wharton's winning touchdown drive started when Taylor raced 25 yards to the Falcons 34 for a first down.

After an incomplete pass to set up a fourth and 11, Royal was flagged for an illegal block in the back and an unsportsmanlike penalty to give the Tigers a first down at the 13 yardline with only 17 seconds left in the third quarter.

Phynon then raced around the left side for a touchdown on the next play with only three seconds left.

Royal responded and drove to the Tiger 41. On a fourth down and five, Alexander was thrown for a six yard loss.

The Tigers took over on their own 47 with 9:08 left. An offsides penalty put the ball on the Royal 48.

Herrera kept the ball and picked up a first down at the Falcon 38 as the clocked ticked to under seven minutes left in the game.

The Tigers visit Columbia next Friday. The Roughnecks beat Stafford 33-0 to improve to 2-0 in league play.