South Houston defensive back Brian Columbus sets sail in pursuit of Port Arthur Memorial's Terrence Singleton, who breaks free on the sideline during the first half.
REQUENO PASSES FOR 326, FOUR TDS IN FINAL GAME
HOUSTON -- Port Arthur Memorial quarterback Terrence Singleton led his team to 35 first-half points as the Titans stormed past South Houston 56-28 on Saturday in Class 5A Division II first-round action at Galena Park ISD Stadium.
The Trojans rebounded with four touchdowns in the second half, but it wasn't enough to offset the damage wrought by the Titan tempest in the first two quarters.
The outcome wrapped up the football season for Pasadena ISD schools. Two other playoff qualifiers -- Dobie and Memorial -- lost in first-round games on Friday night.
South Houston finished the season with a 3-8 mark.
Rudis Requeno, a three-year starter playing his final game for the Trojans, completed 33 of 55 passes for 326 yards. He threw four TD passes to account for all of his team's trips to the end zone. And he was not intercepted.
Toree Daniel, a South Houston junior who finished the season as one of the leading receivers in the Houston area, caught 16 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns.
But none of it proved unsettling for the Titans, who rang up 587 yards of offense against a Trojan defense that gave up 152 points in its final three games.
Three Memorial runners cracked 100 yards on the ground. Darius Lemora gained 146 yards on 11 carries. Kenneth Mayfield rushed for 142 on 15 carries. Singleton carried 18 times for an even 100 yards.
Lemora and Singleton scored twice. Singleton chipped in a 41-yard strike to John Leday for the Titans' final TD in their 35-0 first-half blitz.
Memorial's Jhajuan Seales set the pace by returning the opening kickoff 96 yards for a TD. Singleton followed with TD spurts of 8 and 12 yards to make it 21-0 not quite two minutes into the second quarter.
The Trojans returned from the locker room a different team. Requeno found Daniel for a 7-yard scoring pass and then hooked up with Dequan Moore from 23 yards out. But the Titans managed to trade blows.
Matthew Romar scored on a 7-yard run for the Titans. Requeno came back with an 8-yard TD pass to Erick Henriquez, but Lemora answered with a 73-yard romp to the end zone.
Requeno spotted Daniel again for a 3-yard TD flip, but Titans reserve Ricky Fisk scored from 23 yards out in the final two minutes.
Pasadena ISD football teams will now await redistricting decisions by the University Interscholastic League that could dramatically alter the competitive landscape for district squads next season. District schools could stay in a six-team league with Deer Park or move into another configuraton that could include additional area schools.
Port Arthur Memorial's Jhajuan Seales cuts across the field enroute to a 96-yard return of the opening kickoff.
South Houston quarterback Rudis Requeno wings a pass downfield.
South Houston receiving standout Toree Daniel prepares to cut inside of Titans' linebacker Elandon Roberts (44) after making one of his 16 catches in the game.
South Houston defenders battle the passing talents of Terrence Singleton from above and below -- but can't prevent this completion to John Leday (8).
Singleton cuts around right end and scores from 12 yards out early in the second quarter to help propel Port Arthur Memorial to a 21-0 lead.
South Houston's Byron Hodges runs into the clutches of two Titan defenders, including Darius Lemora (28), on a failed attempt to convert a fourth down late in the first half.
GAME ALBUM
