Hawk Football: A Ray of Hope Turns to A Beam of Light
James Garza finished game with 123 yards rushing and 3rd on All-Time Rushing for a season with 1,350 yards.
(photo by Daniel Clifton)
Canyon Lake came up short for their Area Round of this year’s playoff run but a ray of hope morphed into a beam of light as this campaign proved much more this season.
Hit Man says way to get rid of those Pests Hawks!
This game started in The Lake’s favor after a first quarter lead, 7-3 which was par for this season as CLHS had realized a, 14-4 point average to open each game.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these kids….they did a great job,” Head Coach Sam Parker said. “Credit to these kids…credit to this staff…I thought they did a great job of figuring out how to put our kids in the best possible chance to win and it didn’t come out the way we wanted to tonight but props to the community and God is so good.”
The Hawk’s defense started this game stopping the Panthers on a 4th and 2 yards needed at CL’s 33 yard line.
Then a quick 2 play CL drive that was capped off when QB Jace Wheeler found Carter Williams for a 67 yard pass and run for a quick, 7—0 advantage.
Bay City needed 18 plays on their next drive covering 67 yards and a 28 yard field goal.
This drive was extended when a roughing the punter penalty kept the ball in the hands of the Panthers. Counting the 4th down penalty CL’s defense was stubborn causing BCity needing to convert four 4th down plays to score on this drive.
Bay City’s defense was tough on the run and held CL to a 3 play and punt before a Panther 5 play scoring drive that covered 62 yards and a, 7-9 lead.
The Hawks would flex their muscles to answer and get a lead back when James Garza converted a 4th and 1 yard needed traveling 77 yards and a, 14-9 score.
Way to Go Hawks!
Williams’ 44 yard catch was the explosive play on this drive as this young man broke several receiving records for a season and career. Williams finished first in Hawk history with 1,210 receiving yards and 2nd place with 1,411 yards for his career.
BC would score and get this seesaw lead before half and a, 17-14 lead.
The Lake could not get in a groove to start their 3rd quarter while these Panthers would capitalize on Hawk turnovers and just proving why they are a state ranked team.
The Hawks were able to find the end-zone during their final period going 75 yards that was capitalized with 4 pass and 4 running plays.
Garza toted the rock for 33 yards on 3 carries which allowed him to break the 100 yard barrier finishing with 123 yards rushing.
Way to make us Proud Hawks!
Wheeler found a wide open Peyton King, to finish this drive, in the end zone for 25 yards and score.
King started this game in place of an injured Harris Gilliam who was an instrumental player and leader for this year’s surprised edition. King was crowned (play on words for a good game of checkers) and finished with 3 receptions for 40 yards.
A ray of hope was the sentiment as this year’s group of players started back during those hot days of August.
A team that was coming off a, 2-8 season but with a new coaching staff there would still be several question marks on what type of campaign might be in store for the Hawk Nation.
That Ray of Hope would have some down times but as this season matured….it would be the positive moments taking over and a 2nd seed in district play.
Now that Ray of Hope has shown a Beam of Light on what will be in store when CL begins their off season preparation.
Way to Stay in Shape Hawks!
An offensive line that will lose 3 seniors, Jayden Hicks, Everett Hector, and Evan Poole.
A Beam of Light with 3 sophomores and 4 juniors returning…which is where those Lights have proven to be off the charts in protecting QB’s and paving the way for 2200 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Passing? How bout 2124 yards and 31 touchdowns. Those bright lights are balanced too.
A Beam of Light coming from the defensive side with 12 underclassmen returning. This crew held opponents over 1000 yards less than last year while playing an extra two games.
CL’s Defense…Beam of Light could show next years opposition that Light is a Locomotive.
Lake Proud!
A Beam of Light in seeing both sub-varsity teams improve to the nth degree while waiting their turn to become a contributor on Varsity.
Yes, a year with a Ray of Hope has turned into a year of Beam of Lights that presents a negative in knowing there will be 8 months of waiting before players report next August and a chance to see just what might be in store for the Hawk Nation.
Thanks 2024 Lake Football Team and for making our Community Proud of your maturity not just on the field but how you have carried yourself around The Lake and off the field.
Way to Go Hawks!!
1 2 3 4 Final Bay City 3 14 13 28 58 CL Hawks 7 7 0 7 21 Scoring Summary: CL-Carter Williams 67 yd pass from Jace Wheeler (Jack Stracener kick), 7:58, 1st BC-28 yard field goal, 2:17, 1st BC-Panthers 21 yard pass (run failed), 10:59, 2nd CL-James Garza 1 yard run (Stracener kick), 7:20, 2nd BC-Panthers 2 yard run (pass good), 2:36, 2nd BC-Panthers 7 yard run (pat failed), 7:23, 3rd BC-Panthers 41 yard pass (pat good), 4:16, 3rd BC-Panthers 7 yard pass (pass good), 11:37, 4th BC-Panthers interception return (pass failed), 10:45, 4th BC-Panthers 1 yard run (pass good), 6:55, 4th CL-Peyton King 25 yard pass from Wheeler (Stracener kick), 4:29, 4th BC-Panthers 63 yard fumble return (run failed), 0:19, 4th Game Stats Panthers Hawks Total Yards 447 359 First Downs 23 14 Rush/Yards 27/62 32/129 Comp/Att/Int 31/43/0 14/25/2 Passing Yards 385 230 Punts/Average 3/36.0 5/34.8 Fumbles/Lost 0/0 2/1 Penalties-Yards 5-47 5-50 Passing Comp Att Pct Yds Int TD Jace Wheeler 14 25 .560 230 2 2 Rushing Att Yds Ave Lg TD James Garza 28 123 4.4 20 1 Gram Simpson 2 10 5.0 6 0 Jace Wheeler 2 -4 — 2 0 Totals 32 129 4.0 20 1 Receiving No Yds Ave Lg TD Carter Williams 6 138 23.0 67 1 Peyton King 3 40 13.3 25 1 Gram Simpson 2 28 14.0 16 0 James Garza 3 24 8.0 11 0 Totals 14 230 16.4 67 2
