11/01/2026
The Yellowjackets closed out the home portion of the 2026 season Friday night with a 44-13 loss to the Cedar Hill Longhorns. While the scoreboard reflected yet another loss, Friday's game felt a bit different.
Cleburne took the opening kickoff and drove thru the Cedar Hill defense to the five yard line, where Zaidyn Husband spun off a tackler and into the end zone. Kenton Brown's extra point produced a 7-0 lead. Coach Sheppard saw an opportunity on the kickoff and called for the onside kick, which the Yellowjacket executed to perfection.
After forcing a turnover on downs, the visitors moved the ball 62 yards in 11 plays, but the Cleburne defense stiffened and held them to a 32 yard field goal and with 4:22 remaining in the first quarter, Cleburne led 7-3.
On the ensuing possession the Yellowjackets got a 13 yard run out of husband and an 11 yard completion from Gunnar Braswell to Jake Watson, but were ultimately forced to punt. The Longhorns took over at their 24 and drove 76 yards in 7 plays to take a 10-7 lead.
Back to back penalties pushed the starting point for the next Cleburne drive back to their own six yard line and after an 18 yard scamper by Husband, they punted the ball away, and Cedar Hill started at their 29 yard line. From there the speedy Longhorns ran off a couple of big plays but with 4th at the Cleburne 25, they missed a 32 yard field goal attempt with 5:21 until halftime.
After opening the ensuing drive with a couple of punishing runs by Husband for 10 and 14 runs, a Longhorn defensive back pilfered a Braswell pass and they were in business at their 20. From there they scored on a nine play drive, running the score to 17-7 at half.
Opening the second half Cleburne ran eight plays before a short punt turned the ball over to Cedar Hill at the Cleburne 46. A six play Cedar Hill drive culminated in an eight yard TD dive. The extra point was blocked and Honor Adeyeye provided the crowd some excitement, returning it to midfield.
Another Cleburne drive resulted in a punt which the Longhorns fielded at their 45, after a 9 play drive, they misfired on another field goal - this one from 31 yards - and with 3:39 in the third, the visitors led Cleburne 23-7
The teams exchanged punts as the 4th quarter got under way until, with 9:04 remaining, the Longhorns returned a fumble for a touchdown and the score stood at 30-7.
The Yellowjackets then combined runs of 18 yards by Husband, 13 yards by Braswell and a 16 yard completion from Braswell to Watson to advance the ball into the Cedar Hill red zone, but the big, physical Longhorn defense stiffened and on first and goal from the two, forced a fumble turned the ball over at the 12 yard line.
Brashawn Brown made a huge play on first down, coming up with an interception to give the ball back to Cleburne at the 15 yard line. Again the Cedar Hill defense made a stand and this time turned the ball over on downs when they drug Husband down at the one yard line on fourth and goal from the three.
The Longhorns struck quickly this time, scoring on the third play with a 10 yard run, following a 74 yard sprint, making the score 38-7 (after an inexplicable two point conversion) with 3:33 remaining.
On the following drive, Cleburne rode 45 yard and 25 runs by Husband, followed by a 21 yard strike from Braswell to Watson to pull the Yellowjackets to within 38-13 at the 1:53 mark.
With the offense now clicking and feeling an opportunity to make statement, Coach Sheppard called for an onside kick, but an unfortunate bounce right to a Longhorn up man was returned for a touchdown and the final 44-13 score.
The team closes out the season in DeSoto next Thursday (note the different night) in a matchup against the defending 6A - yes, I said 6A) State Champion Eagles., featuring the one of the nation's premiere high school running backs SaRod Baker. It won't be easy, but these kids will show up and play hard, bet on it! We encourage you to come out and support the Yellowjackets and watch them challenge Baker and the Eagles. Game time is 7:00 at Eagle Stadium
Against Cedar Hill Friday night
Zaidyn Husband ran for 164 yards on 31 carries
Gunnar Braswell had 27 net yards on 14 carries
Braswell completed 7 of 14 passes for 76 yards and 1 TD
Jake Watson had 4 catches for 45 yards and 1 TD
Ja'Rye Scales caught 3 passes for 31 yards
JacketRadio / JSN Players of the Game are
Offensive Zaidyn Husband
Defensive Emmanuel Adeyeye
