Ben Ebeke had one of his best games in a W.T. White uniform on Thursday. It also marked a premature end to his high school career.
The senior running back’s five touchdowns weren’t enough as the Longhorns fell to North Mesquite 51-44 in a seesaw thriller at Loos Stadium, concluding their season without a postseason berth for the first time in six years.
With the stakes at their highest — the winner earns the final playoff spot from District 6-5A Div. I, and the loser is eliminated — WTW turned to Ebeke, their workhorse for three straight seasons, and he didn’t disappoint.
He ran for 292 yards and four touchdowns on 42 attempts, and also scored on a 39-yard reception. He touched the ball on more than two-thirds of the offensive snaps for the Longhorns (5-5, 4-4).
“Not only is he going to be a great football player at the next level, but he’s going to be a great man in life,” said first-year WTW head coach Bryson Lewis. “He showed his leadership and grit and determination.”
However, some critical penalties and miscues in the second half enabled the Stallions (4-5, 4-3) to rally and clinch their first trip to the playoffs in a decade. WTW will finish fifth in the league standings.
The Longhorns struggled to contain North Mesquite’s multifaceted running game, especially after halftime, when the Stallions reached the end zone on five of their six drives. Terrence Collins rushed for 198 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:39 remaining.
“We were young this year, and a lot of guys grew up tonight,” said Lewis, whose team has a bye on the final week of the regular season. “I’m so thankful for these kids and this community, and for this opportunity. My first year as a head coach has been amazing.”
WTW took control early, thanks to a 41-yard touchdown scamper by Ebeke and a first-quarter safety on an errant North Mesquite punt snap.
On the ensuing drive, Ebeke fumbled in North Mesquite territory, but receiver Diego Dominguez scooped up the ball and advanced it to the 1-yard line. Ebeke plunged across the goal line on the next play to make it 16-6.
After the Stallions tied the game, WTW caught a break to start the third quarter when North Mesquite failed to gain control of the opening kickoff near the goal line, and the Longhorns grabbed the loose ball for a touchdown.
However, the Stallions quickly regained momentum with two Julien Simpson touchdown runs in a 53-second span, the second one set up by an Alfred Adome fumble recovery deep in WTW territory. Simpson finished with 118 yards on the ground.
The Longhorns answered with two quick scores of their own, including a strike to Ebeke from Andrew Paredez that put WTW up 37-30 midway through the third quarter.
North Mesquite surged back in front early in the fourth on a 58-yard touchdown sprint by Collins, who led his team’s four-pronged rushing attack with 25 carries.
After a missed extra-point kick, WTW responded with a 75-yard drive capped by a 1-yard Ebeke score on fourth down to grab a 44-43 edge with 4:22 left.
But the Stallions had one more answer, marching 68 yards in eight running plays, with Collins sealing the deal on a 5-yard push into the end zone. WTW appeared to have a key third-down stop along the way, but a face-mask penalty kept the possession alive.
North Mesquite’s commitment to its flexbone scheme resulted in just three pass attempts in the game. The Stallions have averaged 52.3 points during their current three-game winning streak.
“Our guys fought hard,” Lewis said. “It just comes down to penalties. We can argue all day, but we don’t make excuses. We just fell a little short.”
