Sunday, September 02, 2007
By Chad Conine
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Waco High running back Jarred Salubi stated when practice began in August that he’s aiming for Louis Fite’s school record of 2,532 rushing yards in a single season.
It appears he’ll have an escort.
The Waco High offensive line put Wylie on its heels early and Salubi rushed past the Pirates for 237 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Lions to a 35-15 victory Saturday in the H-E-B Heart O’ Texas Kickoff Classic at Waco ISD Stadium.
“You always have to have confidence in your offensive line,” Salubi said. “Some plays they weren’t just blocking them, they were pushing them back. I was like ‘OK.’ ”
To the delight of the Waco High fans who braved the 90-degree heat, many with umbrellas shading them from the afternoon sun, it was announced over the stadium public address system at the end of the game that the entire Waco High offensive line had been selected as the Kickoff Classic Offensive Players of the Game.
Salubi’s final tote of the afternoon was to carry home the MVP medal.
Waco High’s thumping of Wylie wasn’t exactly a surprise. Neither was how they did it — with a playmaking rushing attack and a swarming defense — but the Lions’ offensive line was surprisingly effective.
Waco High returned just two starters along the offensive front, Nicholas Johnson and Jerold Smith. The three newcomers — Quentin Evans, Jaffus Hardrick and Braxton Bennett, along with tight end Walter Hardin — helped Waco High roll to 429 rushing yards.
With Bronshae’Keon Dugas and Charles Silmon joining Salubi in running for big chunks of yardage, the Lions ran for 9.32 per carry on 46 attempts.
“That’s kind of mind-boggling,” Salubi said.
Waco High coach Johnny Tusa gave the highest marks to the Lions’ defense, which held a pass-intensive Wylie offense to 199 total yards and just one real scoring drive.
But he was pleased with the effort of the offensive front.
“At times we dominated the line of scrimmage,” Tusa said.
The Lions came out of their dressing room sporting jazzy new uniforms, but the same old Waco High swagger.
Less than six minutes into the game, the Lions looked very similar to the squad that rolled to 10 straight victories last fall.
Waco High (1-0) kept Wylie bottled up inside its own 25 for four possessions in the first quarter.
Salubi couldn’t quite find room to run on his first carry as he was stuffed for no gain. His second rush, however, went for 44 yards to the Pirates’ 3.
Dugas did the rest from there, scoring on a three-yard touchdown run.
The Lions’ second possession brought much of the same. Salubi rushed three times for 44 yards, including a three-yard score to put Waco High ahead, 14-0.
But the Lions had their growing pains in the season opener.
The Lions’ third drive ended in the end zone, but this time Wylie defensive back Daniel Jordan came down with the football as he intercepted a Clarence Willis pass.
Willis practiced at defensive back for the Lions this preseason until Monday when he moved to quarterback in place of injured Kyle Carter.
Waco High’s slated starter, Carter broke his left wrist in the team’s final scrimmage. He’s not expected to be back in the lineup before the start of district play.
Willis finished with three completions in nine attempts and two interceptions.
The Waco High defense shut out the Wylie offense in the second half.
New Lions starters Andrew Weaver and Jamaar Walker had sparkling debuts. Weaver posted a pair of sacks, while Walker totaled seven tackles with 1 1/2 sacks and earned Kickoff Classic Defensive Player of the Game.
“The defense looked like they were in midseason form,” Tusa said.
cconine@wacotrib.com
757-5711
