By Brice Cherry

Tribune-Herald youth sports editor

According to the polls, Waco High is not yet the No. 1 4A team in the state.

But this much is clear — the Lions are No. 1 in Waco ISD by a wide margin.

The sixth-ranked Lions spanked their crosstown brethren University, 47-7, in the District 16-4A opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Waco ISD Stadium, making a strong case that they should move up in the state rankings.

Current No. 1-ranked Copperas Cove lost to No. 10 Brownwood, 17-10, in 16-4A action Friday night.

Following Saturday’s game, you didn’t have to convince University coach LeRoy Coleman of Waco High’s preeminent status.

“I think they’re every bit as good (as they were last year),” Coleman said. “They do the same things. They’re big and strong and they’ll push you off the ball, and just run it right over you. I think they’ll go on to represent the district well down the road.”

Waco High (5-1, 1-0) didn’t waste any time filing this one away to the win column. The Lions tallied a field goal and two touchdowns before the midway point of the opening quarter en route to a thoroughly dominating 40-0 halftime lead.

“I was pretty much pleased with our effort,” Waco High coach Johnny Tusa said. “The truth of the matter is, the game’s over at halftime, for all practical purposes. So in the second half, you try to run the clock, and you certainly get concerned over your health.”

Fortunately for Tusa, his Lions seem to be patching up their nicks and cuts just in time for the stretch run. Senior tailback Jarred Salubi returned to action for the first time since Sept. 14 and maintained his 10-yards-a-pop average, carrying eight times for 86 yards and a 35-yard jogging touchdown.

And senior quarterback Kyle Carter saw his first action of the year after missing the first five games with an injured wrist, hitting on three of six passes for 41 yards.

“I thought Jarred showed some flashes of his old self in the first half,” Tusa said. “And Kyle came in and played pretty well, too. It’s nice to get those guys in and let them shake some of the rust off. We’re glad to have them back.”

Both Waco High offensive and defensive lines pushed and shoved the Trojans (1-5, 0-1) around, clearing colossal creases on one side while slamming them shut on the other.

After Salubi headed to the bench following the first quarter, reserve tailback Toylon Clark took over, carrying 17 times for a game-high 179 yards and scoring on runs of 40, 18 and 67 yards.

“Toylon has some very fast feet,” Tusa said. “He played a heck of a game.”

Waco High’s miserly defense forced three University turnovers in the first half, including interceptions from Victor Johnson and Peter Smith that set up short touchdowns.

Trailing 47-0 entering the final quarter, the Trojans finally pieced together an efficient-looking scoring drive against Waco High’s backup defense. Mixing in some nice running gains from Darius Erwin and several sweet roll-out passes from Randy Price, the Trojans marched 76 yards in eight plays, culminating with a 14-yard TD dart from Price to Demarcus Hicks.

“We showed some resiliency at the end,” Coleman said. “We talked to the kids about not giving up, not laying down, and they came out and did what they were supposed to do.”

Johnson, Waco High’s blue-chip safety, directed the Lions’ defensive charge with an interception and eight tackles, including a vicious stick on University’s Jarrod Hall on a pass to the sideline.

Waco High will remain at Waco ISD next week to host fellow 1-0 district mate Midway, while University travels to Copperas Cove.

bcherry@wacotrib.com

757-5714