Texas A&M Head Into Playoffs Undefeated.
Press Release
March 04, 2006
Written By Josh Back
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The game against Sam Houston State was a wake-up call for the Aggies. The Bearkats, whom forwards coach Johnny Smith used to be employed by, looked to beat their old coach and Texas A&M to get the final spot in the Western Playoffs. By winning, Sam Houston State would go one point ahead of the University of Texas and relegate that club to fourth and out of any post-season action.
The three days in Norman will be very tough with a game being played each day. It is vital for playoff teams to be able bring large squads that can be interchanged. The Aggie coaches saw the opportunity against Sam Houston State as a warm-up game for the playoffs. They wanted to see how the team would perform with first team regulars not playing, but with the view of winning and going undefeated.
Unfortunately, things did not get off to a great start for the Maroons. Sam Houston State kicked off and shortly scored a try in the right corner after some handling errors and missed tackles from the Aggies. The Bearkats converted to make it 7 – 0 early on.
Two penalties in succession from the Bearkat fly half saw the lead grow to 15 – 0 and the Aggies get anxious. However, captain Aaron Fortin renewed hope with some terrific play and the Aggie pack got into the match. A great set of lineouts and scrums took the Aggies to the Sam Houston State 5m line. The pressure finally yielded a try as inside centre Nick Bendorf piled over the line after a botched clearance kick from the Bearkats inside their own try area, 15 – 5.
As in previous games, the Texas A&M pack played well and created a chance for fly half Brian Vogt. He scored off a good scrum near the Sam Houston State try line. Although it was a well played possession by the pack, it was Vogt’s running and ability to escape the tackle that capped a good spell for the Aggies. The score at half time was 15 – 10.
The beginning of the second period was all A&M as the team poked about the Bearkat tryline. With determined rucking and mauling, the Aggies finally took the lead with Fortin crossing over and the Aggies were up 17 – 15. Regrettably, Sam Houston State came right back and landed a penalty to go ahead again 18 – 17. However, perhaps the Aggies were lucky to only give up a penalty as they were constantly being penalized, totaling eight infractions in a row.
With play going back and forth, the game seemed deadlocked. With some good running from both forwards and backs, Texas A&M found themselves again near the Bearkat tryline. A calamity of miscommunications in the Sam Houston scrum saw Aggie scrum half Charles Davidson dive on a loose ball inside the Sam Houston State try area to score probably the easiest try of his career, putting Texas A&M back in front 24 – 18.
Davidson’s next effort was no reflection of his first. Seeing an opportunity down the left wing, he sped up the touchline. With a three on one in the Bearkat’s favor, the chance appeared to have vanished. Nevertheless, with a touch of brilliance, (and it has to be said a stroke of luck), Davidson grubber kicked the ball between two of the defenders, and, with a perfect bounce, he raced clear to beat the final covering defender. The fantastic try, reminiscent of play like All Black legend Carlos Spencer, was one that the entire Aggie faithful erupted to, and will no doubt never hear the end of. This score ended the Bearkat’s day, and their season, and lifted the Aggies to the position of undefeated. Final score, Sam Houston State 18 – 31 Texas A&M.
Next weekend the Aggies face a massive game against second ranked BYU. The Cougars are assembled from across the globe including players from England, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Fiji, and Tonga. The Texas A&M players are anxious to play this great team and what a spectacle it will be. The game kicks off at 2pm this Saturday in College Station.