Nick Briggs believes.
With Anderson seemingly shedding momentum in its annual rivalry sport vs. McCallum within the fourth quarter Thursday at Home Park, Briggs made the play of the sport.
Anderson Trojans quarterback Cove Darbyshire (7) dives to the pylon to attain the primary landing of the sport as McCallum Knights working again Joaquin Maldonado (24) defends within the second quarter as the 2 groups play within the Shoal Creek Showdown rivalry sport at Home Park, Oct. 15, 2026. (Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman)
Moments after the Knights had pulled inside 14-9, Briggs took a handoff, ran round the best facet of the road, slipped by way of a sort out and sprinted down the sideline for a 52-yard TD that pushed the Trojans’ lead again to 2 possessions.
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“All my boys, all of them believed in me; all people on the staff believed in me all yr,” Briggs stated. “And my boy (Kam’Ron Hornsby), he stated, ‘Go imagine.’ And I went on the market, and I see a defender come up, so I made a transfer, after which all my receivers had nice blocks on the surface.”
In a sport that’s now referred to as the “Shoal Creek Showdown” and was largely a defensive battle, Briggs and Hornsby had been important in serving to Anderson to a 21-9 win.
The duo mixed for 249 yards dashing and every had a prolonged landing run that instantly answered a McCallum rating.
“They had been slanting quite a bit, so we noticed a number of cutback lanes,” Briggs stated. “Me and Kam, I belief my man. And we’re the identical participant, mainly. So we simply minimize and preserve working.”
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Anderson (5-2, 3-2 District 13-5A DI), which additionally acquired a 16-yard TD run from quarterback Cove Darbyshire, struggled with penalties on either side of the ball many of the contest. However the dashing assault is one thing the Trojans at all times really feel they’ll depend on.
“It was electrical,” Anderson defensive lineman Zach Cecalek stated. “Even at any time when our backs are in opposition to the wall, I do know the run sport can bail us out. I simply love seeing (Briggs and Hornsby) going up the sideline.”
Anderson thrives defensively
Anderson’s protection stored making stops.
Whether or not it was a routine third-down play within the first quarter or a goal-line stand with lower than 4 minutes to play, the Trojans got here by way of on that facet of the ball.
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Anderson solely gave up 9 yards dashing and greater than half of McCallum’s 204 passing yards got here on two performs within the fourth quarter.
Cecalek, who made two sacks and was a continuing presence within the Knights’ backfield, famous it was a staff effort.
“The move rush actually labored properly, however we had been bailed out by our secondary a number of the time,” he stated. “It is actually good to see our protection step as much as the plate in all facets.”
Anderson coach Donald Hatcher stated the efficiency gave him flashbacks.
“They jogged my memory of final yr’s protection,” stated Hatcher, who misplaced eight starters on that facet of the ball from a staff that completed 10-2. “They bought out. (Linebacker) Reagan Smith was the one that basically caught out. He made a number of massive open-field tackles on their three-year starter at quarterback. Zack confirmed out, all people regarded good and we tackled properly.”
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One other rivalry win
It is the fifth straight win for Anderson within the collection, which is arguably one of many prime two within the Austin space and did not begin the Central Texas highschool soccer season in late August for the primary time in additional than twenty years.
Put in the identical district by UIL realignment, the sport had further significance with postseason prospects on the road.
“This sport means essentially the most for everyone,” Briggs stated. “I am simply glad I may go on the market, do my job and assist my seniors get the win in a tricky sport.”
McCallum protection gutsy
The Knights (3-4, 2-3) could have shocked some individuals by making this sport aggressive for 4 quarters.
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Anderson’s margin of victory the earlier 4 conferences was 35, however McCallum’s protection was robust many of the evening.
“I feel it was simply executing some particulars and making some tweaks in issues that we had been doing,” McCallum coach Thomas Gammerdinger stated. “Clearly, we nonetheless had a few busts and missed tackles, however the children simply actually did a great job focusing and executing the sport plan.”
McCallum has a great probability to complete .500, and Gammerdinger thinks his staff is taking part in its greatest soccer of the season.
“We’re frequently getting higher,” he stated. “I am actually happy with the children for going by way of the method of enchancment and taking the suggestions and placing the ego apart and … displaying as much as work on daily basis and having a constructive angle.”
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One one who wasn’t shocked on the sport’s competitiveness was Hatcher, who praised McCallum’s teaching workers.
“It is a rivalry sport, and all of us noticed final week the OU-Texas sport the place OU got here out and obtained them,” he stated. “Coach Gammerdinger and people guys had an amazing sport plan. … And McCallum confirmed up and performed their butts off. So, a number of respect to them.”
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This text initially printed at ‘This sport means essentially the most:’ Anderson takes Austin-area rivalry contest vs McCallum.
