The Volunteers have a defense that is quickly establishing itself as one of the best around. Bowie recorded its third shutout of the season, defeating Mansfield 51-0 Friday at Mansfield ISD Stadium.

"We watched him all week and he was very impressive on film," Bowie defensive end Jarrett Brown said. "He was like a man-child against other teams. We know how much he likes to cut back, so we had to play our gaps." ( READMORE)

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Bowie (5-1, 2-0 in District 4-5A) recorded its third shutout of the season and remained undefeated in district play. Mansfield (4-3, 2-1) had its three-game winning streak snapped.

Bowie erased all doubt in this one scoring on its first two possessions of the second half for a commanding 38-0 lead. Bowie’s defense has held Mansfield running back Stepfan Taylor to 38 rushing yards through three quarters.

Bowie’s defense has held Mansfield running back Stepfan Taylor to only 26 yards on 14 carries in the first half. Bowie running back Travis Evans has stolen the show running for 99 yards already. Both quarterbacks are struggling as Bowie’s Christian Matthews has completed only four passes and has been intercepted three times. Mansfield’s Daniel Green has been picked off twice.

Bowie scored on its first two possessions then pushed the lead to 17 points on Aaron Williams’ 35-yard fumble return for a touchdown

Mansfield coach Jeff Hulme said the best way to slow down Arlington Bowie’s potent offense is to keep it on the sideline as much as possible.

"You can’t expect to shut them down completely," Hulme said. "[Bowie quarterback] Christian [Matthews] has so many weapons he can get the ball to. Our best defense is a good offense. We have to stay on the field and work the clock."

The Tigers have potential to do just that with standout tailback Stepfan Taylor, who is second among area Class 5A players in rushing yards, and quarterback Daniel Green, who has been solid at running Mansfield’s offense.

Arlington Bowie coach Kenny Perry had high praise for Mansfield as the two district unbeatens prepare to meet Friday.
"In all three aspects of the game -- offense, defense and special teams -- they are solid," Perry said. "They aren’t doing anything to hurt themselves."
Containing Mansfield tailback Stepfan Taylor, who is second among Class 5A area rushers with 1,034 yards, is a major objective for the Volunteers (4-1, 1-0 in District 4-5A). But Perry has cautioned his defense not to focus solely on Taylor because of the play-making abilitlies of Mansfield quarterback Daniel Green and a bevy of talented receivers.

Jeff Kemp, O.T. Thomas, Travis Dougherty, Joseph Williams, Kendall Miller, Mitchell Reed, Sammy Epps, Ricardo Gomez, Greg Ross, Dustin Laswell, Bill Jenkins, Richard English, Trent Fuller, Tom Inman, and Sam Sieberling

D-FW pipeline: Marcus McGraw

Millsaps College, WR, Senior

2007: All-SCAC Honorable Mention.  Son of Coach Sammy Epps. Nephew of former Green Bay Packer and New York Jet, Phillip Epps Read More

As defenders left the field following a fourth-down incompletion, Texas cornerback Ryan Palmer said he sensed something special about this year’s unit. "That showed we can be a hard-nosed, blue-collar defense," said Palmer, a senior from Arlington Bowie. "That gave us a lot of confidence."  READ MORE

Answer:  FIVE OFFENSE - #20, Ronnie Thomas (RB), #14, Christian Matthews (QB),  #27, Justin Foster (WR), #10, Austin Whitaker (WR), #9, Montra Nelson (WR)

The remaining three are on Defense - #8, J'mond Green (DB), #64, AJ Smith (DT), #5, Jordan Donnell (DB), #95, Kendrick Graves (DL), #61, Hunter Wilson (DL),  #96, Trey Dixon (DE), #32, Ricky McGraw (DB)