Memorial senior Chris Cargile plunges into the middle of the line a step ahead of Deer Park's Nolan Camp (11). Cargile finished the night with 201 yards on the ground.
A 201-yard rushing performance by Memorial's Chris Cargile Thursday night couldn't keep pace with Deer Park's stampede toward an apparent District 22-5A showdown with Dobie.
Deer Park running backs Demetrius Banks and Justin James combined for 327 yards on the ground as the Deer erupted in the second half for a 48-23 victory over the Mavericks at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
In avenging a home loss to Memorial last year, the Deer stayed on track for a district title shootout with the defending champion Longhorns on Nov. 3 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Deer Parks stands 3-0 in district play with two games remaining and 7-1 overall.
The Mavericks slipped to 2-6 overall and 1-2 in district play.
For much of the first half, it appeared that Memorial might be poised for an upset and a leap back into title contention. Midway through the second quarter, Cargile scored from 16 yards out to give the Mavericks a 13-10 lead.
But the Deer answered with three straight touchdown runs by James, one in the second quarter and two in the third. James scored a fourth TD on a 17-yard run - his longest TD blast of the night - midway through the fourth quarter, part of a 31-point second half for the Deer.
Cargile carried 22 times for his 201 yards. Banks gained 193 yards on 24 carries and scored two TDs. James carried 16 times for 124 yards.
Memorial outgained the Deer 459 yards to 443.
But for the third straight game, the Mavericks surrendered at least 43 points.
Greg Gallardo, Memorial's quarterback, tossed two TD passes into the mix, an 11-yarder to Derek Lee in the first quarter and a 22-yarder to Brandon Thomas with just seven seconds left in the game.
Memorial running back Ahrmon Mcleod leaps over the line on his way toward a collision with Deer Park linebacker Tyler Butterfras (46).
Mavericks quarterback Greg Gallardo escapes the pocket under a heavy rush from Deer Park's Shaquelle Alexander (96).
Deer Park linebacker Casey Westmoreland (42) closes in on Memorial running back Reggie Turner (3).
Deer Park's Justin James scores the third of his four touchdowns, a 15-yard scamper late in the third quarter.
GAME ALBUM
