Braylen Harris and Xylan Williams had season-opening games to remember.
Harris threw for two touchdowns and ran for two in Ednaòòò½ÊÓƵ™s 38-35 overtime win over Industrial.
Williams threw a touchdown pass, returned a kickoff for a touchdown and a punt for a touchdown in Bay Cityòòò½ÊÓƵ™s 62-34 win over Sweeny. He amassed 217 all-purpose yards and was named the Class 4A Built Ford Tough Player of the Week.
But there was another similarity that the teams would like to eliminate when they meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Bay Cityòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Memorial Stadium.
Edna was penalized 12 times for 116 yards, and Bay City was flagged nine times for 83 yards.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWe scored 38 points, and we had stuff called back,òòò½ÊÓƵ said Edna head coach Jimmie Mitchell. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe had an abnormal amount of penalties. Like 100-plus yards of penalties for holding. We went for two points to win the game, but it was called back for holding so we kicked the point and went into overtime.òòò½ÊÓƵ
òòò½ÊÓƵœWe have to get off the field and donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t shoot ourselves in the foot with all the penalties,òòò½ÊÓƵ said Bay City head coach Robert Jones. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe gave them first downs with our penalties.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Edna, which is ranked No. 4 in the Class 3A, Division I poll, and Bay City, which is ranked No. 9 in the Class 4A, Division I poll, are playing for the fifth straight season.
The Cowboys have won the last three meetings, and the last two games have been decided by a touchdown or less.
òòò½ÊÓƵœTheyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re really good,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mitchell said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThey have a lot of kids back on offense, Theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re a year older. Our defense has to play better this week.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The Blackcats led going into the fourth quarter last season, only to see Edna score on a pair of long runs. Jones is well aware of Harrisòòò½ÊÓƵ™ big-play ability.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThe key is to contain Braylen,òòò½ÊÓƵ Jones said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe have to know where he is at all times. Heòòò½ÊÓƵ™s their go-daddy and theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re going to try and get him the ball. Heòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a home run threat and we have to keep our eye on him and donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t let him get loose.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Mitchell was pleased with the performance of Harris and Chase Schubert, who each took snaps at quarterback.
òòò½ÊÓƵœOur offense played surprisingly well with both of them coming in and out,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mitchell said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI thought the offense did a good job.òòò½ÊÓƵ
But Mitchell was disappointed with the overall performance of the defense.
òòò½ÊÓƵœKeeping up with Bay Cityòòò½ÊÓƵ™s speed is not going to be easy for them,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mitchell said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe have the potential to be a really good defense, but weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve got to get some games under our belt. Get some experience and lose the confusion. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s hard to play hard when youòòò½ÊÓƵ™re confused.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Mistakes and turnovers have cost Bay City against Edna in the past, and Jones knows they are likely to factor into this seasonòòò½ÊÓƵ™s outcome.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI think we have to stop turning the ball over and shooting ourselves in the foot like we did the last two years,òòò½ÊÓƵ Jones said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe have to take care of the football and play fast and physical, and for each other and I think weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll be OK.òòò½ÊÓƵ
