The Leonard Tigers will look to extend their record-setting season on Monday when Leonard squares off with the Cooper Bulldogs December 9 at 4:30 p.m. in Royse City in the Region II-2A Division II Finals.
The 2013 Tigers are writing a new chapter in school history by advancing to the fourth round of the state playoffs. Leonard has knocked Edgewood, Blooming Grove, and S&S out of the playoffs. The victory over S&S in the regional semifinals was a rematch of the district championship game that Leonard lost in the final seconds on a field goal.
In 1986, the Tigers went three games deep in the playoffs.
The Bulldogs bring a prolific ground game to the regional finals. Cooper's Demarcus Robinson and Jermay have rushed for 2,100 and 1,456 yards, respectively, this year. With those two speedy running back doing most of the damage, the Bulldogs have compiled a spotless is 13-0 record and have not really been tested this year.
Solomon Titus is the go-to man for the Tigers and Titus has toted the pigskin for over 2,100 yards for Leonard. He had 700 at midseason last year before getting injured.
But Leonard can also move the ball through the air as the Tigers proved last week when Justin Bennett passed for 235 yards in the rematch victory over S&S. Ryan Nixon also threw for 50 yards in that contest.
Another Leonard advantage that could be a factor if a frozen field results in a low-scoring affair is the toe of Ty McKinney. With five field goals under his belt this year, including a long of 43 yards, McKinney is one weapon that Cooper doesn't have in its arsenal. McKinney can boom kickoffs, as evidence by his 33 touchbacks and he also comes into the contest with an impressive 42-yard punting average. As a receiver, McKinney has 30 receptions for 490 yards.
Leonard will need to win the battle in the trenches, so they will be looking to Dylan Pelton, who has has graded over 90% as a lineman every game this season.
The clash between the Tigers and the Bulldogs is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Wylie.
photos by Sheryl Stanley