SUPER SPEED — Decatur running back Nate Palmer takes a run to the perimeter while attempting to stiff arm an Estacado defender. Palmer ended the 52-21 win Friday with 200 yards rushing and six total touchdowns. BRENDAN MARCHAND/WCMESSENGER
The Decatur Eagles leaned heavily on senior running back Nate Palmer in Friday’s regional semifinal matchup against the Lubbock Estacado Matadors, and his explosive performance did not let his team down.
With Palmer’s stellar performance, the Eagles rolled over the Matadors at Abilene ISD’s Shotwell Stadium, 52-21.
Decatur coach Steve Huff said that going into the matchup, he knew that the Eagles’ rushing attack would rely heavily on inside runs due to Estacado’s athleticism on the outside.
“The thing with playing a team like Estacado is that they’re so fast, so running sideways wasn’t going to work. We were going to have to get downhill and get body on body,” Huff said. “We had to figure out how to get another guy in the box this week, and then it was a matter of getting in the rhythm of things.”
Palmer racked up 200 of the Eagles’ 298 rushing yards, scoring five touchdowns on 28 carries. He also added a 96-yard kick return.
Palmer said that he was not only competing with the Estacado players across from him, but also had a few extra personal motivations that led to the career game.
“I had to lead my team to a victory, because we’ve been putting in the work and competing so hard and we didn’t want to go home, especially in my senior year,” Palmer said. “I was kind of competing with my dad [Decatur running back coach Daniel Palmer], too, because the most touchdowns he’s had in a game is five, and I got six today. I was getting a great push from my offensive line up front … so I have to give credit to them this game.”
Although the Matadors threatened an early score on their opening drive, Decatur held Estacado scoreless in the first quarter thanks to a few key stops from the defensive line. Following several penalties by the Matadors and a fourth down conversion in the red zone, the Eagles opened their scoring affair with a 1-yard direct snap run by Palmer.
After forcing a three and out on the ensuing drive, Decatur made its way down the field to set up kicker Greg McDonnell for a successful 34-yard field goal to wrap up the first frame.
Early in the second quarter, Eagles’ defensive linemen Keygan Hachtel and Ethan Tally combined for a sack to force a Estacado punt. Two plays after getting the ball back, Palmer broke off a 46-yard score for the Eagles.
Although the Matadors found the end zone on a 33-yard DJ Johnson pass to Devoryea Boyd, the Decatur special teams unit quickly answered. On the ensuing kickoff, Palmer took a 96-yard kickoff return the length of the field for another touchdown.
Both teams scored late in the first half, Estacado on a Johnson pass to wide receiver Cedric Ross and Decatur on a 2-yard Palmer run. Decatur headed into halftime up, 31-14.
Estacado was able to grab an interception from Decatur quarterback Jed Ross to begin the third quarter, but the Eagles’ defense stepped up to take the ball right back with a Wyatt Vinzant sack on fourth down. Decatur used the turnover on downs to march down the field, and Palmer ran in another short score from the 3-yard line.
Vinzant and Palmer duplicated their production later in the quarter, with another Vinzant fourth-down sack giving the Eagles the ball back again. Following a fourth-down conversion on a Jed Ross run, Palmer walked in a touchdown from inside the 5.
“I knew we had to come out strong and fly around and get [Estacado running back Bobby Ross, Jr.] on the ground,” Vinzant said. “And when that quarterback [drops back], I just watch his hip and make a play. The sacks can pretty much be a game-changer, because we force a turnover and get a chance to score.”
After Decatur defensive back Antwan Gilbreath picked off Johnson at the Eagles’ 11, Decatur put up one last score midway through the fourth quarter. Gilbreath used his defensive production to fuel his own offense by grabbing an 11-yard Jed Ross touchdown pass.
Estacado scored on a Johnson pass to Boyd on the following drive, but Decatur’s massive lead prevented any hopes of a miracle comeback.
Huff said that there was “no doubt” that the defensive performance from the Eagles swayed the game in Decatur’s favor and set up the offense to have a big day.
“When you play a team with that kind of speed, your kids have to be at top energy. I guarantee you our defensive kids are dog tired because they had to chase [Estacado] all over the field on the perimeter, on kickoff return, really everywhere,” Huff said. “I’m really proud of the way our defense played and just ran and chased all over the field… For the most part, these kids did a great job of keeping the ball with our offense.”
Under center, Ross completed 13 of his 19 passing attempts for 150 yards, with one interception. Landon Felts led the Eagles in receiving yardage with 66 on four catches.
Decatur will face Brownwood in the 4A Division I regional final 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium.
“Right now, it’s all about focusing on us and getting us better. Your next opponent is always going to be there, and we just have to put up the best that we can against their best,” Huff said. “Whoever the opponent may be, we’ll look at some things we can do, but we’ll play our game. Both are good football teams.”
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