Midland Legacy running back Damien Johnson got the scoring going early and often against Montwood, with three first quarter touchdowns in a 64-19 blowout win to be named Class 6A, Region 1 bi-district champions and move on in the state tournament.
The Rebels jumped out to a 22-0 lead in the first quarter with all three touchdowns coming on runs by Johnson. The first came at the 10 minute mark from about nine yards out. Then with six minutes to go in the quarter, Johnson took it to the house for a 47-yard score. Jason Maltos hit both extra points. Montwood was at the 27-yard line of Midland but Michael Southern was picked off by Cole Neatherlin who got the ball back to Montwood’s 48-yard line.
Johnson then took it in for his third touchdown of the quarter on a 34-yard run, and a two point conversion was good on a run by Jaden Rogers with four minutes on the clock. The Johnson run was on a sweep to the right side out of shotgun. He was able to speed down the sideline to the end zone with huge help from key blocking by Aiden Serrano that kept defenders from tracking him down. Serrano displayed excellent blocking skills on several plays, including another big run by Johnson.
Midland Legacy football beat Montwood 64-19 in the bi-district round of the state tournament.
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Montwood was threatening to score, but Max Vera picked off a pass for the Rebels in the end zone. Midland Legacy wasn’t able to do anything on the next possession and turned the ball over on downs, however. The Rams got on the board before the quarter ended with a 41-yard pass from Southern to Brandon Salcedo and it was a 22-7 after one.
The scoring frenzy for the Rebels continued in the second quarter, with QB Marcos Davila tossing a touchdown pass of 19 yards to Brex Stephens. The touchdown was set up by a 30-yard run by Tommy Johnson III. They went up 36-7 on a one-yard touchdown run by Madden Milloy.
With about three minutes left in the half, Midland Legacy’s Alexis Chavez stripped the ball carrier and Gilbert Hernandez recovered a fumble on their own 21-yard line. Milloy then took off for a 23-yard run, followed by a Davila pass to Serrano for 13 yards to get it to the 43-yard line. Stephens caught a 43-yard touchdown pass by Davila, the second connection between the duo of the day, to make it a 43-7 game at the half.
In the third quarter Midland Legacy outscored Montwood 14-12, with Davila tossing a 27-yard touchdown to Skylar Wilburn, and Rogers scoring on a 53-yard rushing touchdown. Maltos nailed both extra points. Montwood’s Southern threw touchdown passes to Gio Varela and Kaleb Alvarez.
The Rebels then tacked on a touchdown in the fourth quarter on a four-yard run by Zyquwan Young to cruise to the blowout win in front of a home crowd at Astound Broadband Stadium.
Damien Johnson picked up 163 yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns that all came in the first quarter. Milloy tallied 72 yards on 11 carries and a score. Young had eight carries for 45 yards and a touchdown, while Rogers had three carries for 66 yards and a score.
Davila was 17-for-23 for 176 yards and three touchdowns. Stephens caught two of those touchdowns, and had three total for 58 yards. Aiden Serrano had six receptions for 47 yards and Jordan Williams had three receptions for 32 yards.
On defense, Vera tallied five tackles and an interception. The senior strong safety was all over the field, making huge hits, breaking up passes and providing excellent all-around coverage for the Rebels.
Hernandez had five tackles and a fumble recovery. Joaquin Rocha also picked off a pass and had a tackle. Jace Cohlmia had six tackles. Emanuel Lide had a sack and a QB hurry. Colin Brazzell had three passes deflected and three tackles.
Maltos was automatic again, going 8-for-8 on extra points.
Midland Legacy takes on the winner of Timber Creek and Trinity in the second round of the Conference 6A, Division 1 playoffs.