BRYAN — Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.
The Sealy Tigers threw a haymaker to start — and kept throwing them — and eventually KO'd the Robinson Rockets, 63-34, on Friday night in the bi-district round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs.
On the first offensive play of the contest at Merrill Green Stadium, Tigers wide receiver Noah Washington caught a backward pass from QB Kane Killough in the right flat. Washington then threw over the top of the Robinson defense to Steven Schwartz and the bit of trickeration worked to perfection. Schwartz tightroped the sideline for a 62-yard touchdown.
The fireworks had started.
Although Robinson (8-3) often had answers in the first half, Sealy eventually had too many offensive weapons. Killough threw five touchdown passes of his own and tacked on a 62-yard touchdown run as the Tigers built a 47-14 lead.
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Robinson linebacker Drew Olivares brings down Sealy running back Romeo Castillo in the second quarter on Friday night in Bryan.
A couple of special teams mistakes cost Robinson as well. Rockets punter Kannon Kappes twice had to chase down high snaps and fall on the loose ball. Sealy took over deep in Robinson territory both times and scored touchdowns on each occasion.
By the time Robinson created some momentum late in the third quarter with Brice McCurdy’s 62-yard touchdown pass to Ryder Chamblee and a subsequent onside kick recovery, the hole was just too deep.
Sealy (8-3) advances in the 4A Division II playoffs to play the Hamshire-Fannett (10-1), a 49-14 winners over La Marque on Thursday night.
The Rockets have been to the playoffs in each of head coach Chris Lancaster’s first two seasons leading the program. However, Robinson is still looking for its first playoff victory since 2016.
Robinson running back Evan Moreno breaks free of Sealy’s Jadon Hernandez in the second quarter on Friday night in Bryan.
Robinson answered Sealy’s initial big play as QB McCurdy consistently found wide receiver Austin Marshall to move the chains. McCurdy then hit Dylan Medlock for a 31-yard touchdown that tied the game at 7.
Rockets star running back Evan Moreno finished off a touchdown drive midway through the second quarter. Breaking loose for a 15-yard run to the 2. Moreno then scored on the next play as Robinson cut Sealy’s lead to 21-14.
But the Tigers scored the final 12 points of the first half and led 33-14 at the break.
Robinson’s Dylan Medlock (16) celebrates his 31-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter with teammate Austin Marshall (4) on Friday night in Bryan.
Sealy wide receiver Noah Washington scores on a 15-yard touchdown reception in front of Robinson safety Julian Sanchez late in the second quarter on Friday night in Bryan.
