By SCOTT REESE WILLEY

Hometown Press

East Chambers controlled most of the clock, earned more first downs and gained more yards than Cameron-Yoe on Friday, but the No. 4 state-ranked Yoemen took advantage of the scant few minutes it possessed the ball to outscore the Bucs 45-29 and win the regional championship game.

“I was very pleased with the overall effort against Cameron,” said East Chambers head coach Tony Valastro. “Our Bucs played with intensity the entire game. We made some unfortunate mistakes, but players on all levels do. Cameron is fine team and our showing against them was admirable.”

East Chambers dominated possession in the first half and even put up the first points on the board, but in spite of controlling the clock the Yoemen took a 24-7 lead into the locker room at the half.”

The Bucs took the opening kickoff but after three plays called in the punt team, much to the delight of Cameron-Yoe fans. However, the Bucs faked the punt and threw a pass for a first down to keep the drive alive.Thirteen plays later Bucs quarterback Hank Jones bulled his way through the Yeomen’s defensive line for a touchdown with 4:12 remaining on the clock. Joe Martinez kicked the extra point to give EC a 7-0 lead, the only time the Bucs would lead in the playoff contest.

The Yeomen offense took the resulting kickoff and drove downfield to tie the score in less than two minutes.

The Bucs burned up another eight minutes of the clock in the second quarter on an extended drive downfield only to have a field goal blocked. 

The Yeomen offense scored three plays later to capture a 14-7 lead.

The Cameron-Yoe defense forced the Bucs to punt on EC’s next possession and the Yeomen offense kicked a field goal to extend its lead to 17-7.

A Bucs receiver dropped the subsequent kickoff and it was recovered by the Yeomen at the Bucs 20 yard line. 

The Yeoman quarterback threw a pass over the middle to score a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining in the half. 

Cameron-Yoe returned from halftime and took the opening kickoff of the third quarter and drove downfield to score a fourth TD on a 21-yard pass.

The Yeomen offense scored another touchdown minutes later on an 8-yard run with 2:18 remaining in the third quarter.

The Yeomen defense kept the Bucs out of the endzone in the third quarter of play but EC engineered a scoring drive in the fourth quarter that was capped when Jones carried the ball in from 15 yards out with 8:24 remaining in the game. Martinez’ kick sailed through the uprights to close the Yeomen lead to 38-14.

Minutes later Jones guided the Bucs downfield for another TD. Martinez kicked the extra point with 3:11 remaining in the game to close the Yeomen’s lead to 38-21.

A Yeoman receiver took the subsequent kickoff and returned it for a touchdown with 3:04 on the clock. EC runningback Glenn Roberts scored the Bucs fourth and final touchdown of the night when he caught a pass from Jones and ran it in from 15 yards out. Martinez’ kick boosted EC’s score to 29.

“The Bucs' offense started clicking in the second half and was even able to cut a 31-point deficit down to 16, but not enough time and unfortunate special teams mistakes contributed in allowing the Yoemen to eliminate the Bucs with a 45-29 victory,” coach Valastro said.

Hank Jones’ outstanding play in the Cameron game has lead to his being nominated once again for Southeast Texas Football Player of the Week.

Bucs fans interested in casting a vote for Jones may do so by going onto the East Chambers ISD website and clicking on high school/athletics.

“I would like to thank all those who cheered on the Bucs this year,”coach Valastro said. “Many people are needed to have a successful season and we were blessed to have some great parents and supporters. You are all awesome.”

“I would also like to thank the seniors for their hard work and dedication to the program and to the team,” he added. “They did an outstanding job throughout the year. The seniors included, Adam Davis, Dallas Gibson, Hank Jones, Austen Gilfillian, Titus King, Jordan Benson, Eric Hart, Joe Martinez, Jesse Luckey, Kevin Carr, Efrain Mora, Coby Trevino, Richard Boullion, Mark Payne, Kylor Weisse, Mason LaBorde, and Eric Payton. I certainly hope that the memories we formed will last for many years to come. “