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Saturday, December 4, 1999

Alice's roadblock is big - and quick
Undefeated Texas City has battered and sped past opponents on way to 4A semi
By George Vondracek
Caller-Times

The customary playoff-fever pitch has been reached in Alice, where the Coyotes are preparing for their second straight appearance and fourth overall in the state semifinals. Optimism is high. Con-fidence exudes.
   Then, as the Coyotes and their coaches have done all week, you focus in on the video and see the players in the jet-black jerseys speeding across the field, sprung by hulking linemen. The players are from Texas City, which is two years removed from a state championship and has designs on another one.
   "Size and speed. They've got about five kids that are banging 300 pounds and they're just monsters," Alice coach Van Tom Whatley said, assessing the Stingarees. "And their running back, receiver and quarterback can just fly."
   The 11-2 Coyotes get their chance to advance to their first state championship game at 2 p.m. today in the Astrodome when they face No. 2-ranked Texas City in the Class 4A Division I semifinals. To do so, they'll have to do what no one has done this season - beat the 12-0 Stingarees.
   "We'll do the right things and be in the right places," Whatley said. "But I worry about them busting the big plays."
   Texas City has mauled opponents this season. Only neighboring rival La Marque has been able to get within five points (21-16) of the Stingarees. Last week, TC's defense allowed only one score and forced five turnovers on the way to a 26-12 win over Nederland in the quarterfinals at the Astrodome.
   "They're beatable, but it's going to take a great game," Alice safety-wide receiver Mark Garza said. "We have to eliminate fumbles and mental errors and try to play our best game of the season to beat this big, talented team."
   Still alive
   That Alice is in the semis for the second straight year is as much a testament to its will, and a few breaks in last weekend's 14-13 win over Hays at the 'Dome. The Coyotes turned the ball over four times. But Garza's splendid 23-yard touchdown reception from quarterback J.P. Pruneda, a pass Garza swiped from the arms of Hays' Alfonso Mendoza, and Daniel Stephens' point-after kick provided the game-winning points with 4 minutes, 23 seconds to play.
   The difference was an extra-point kick that Hays' Shawn Dunkin bounced off the right upright.
   "It feels good going back to the semifinals after a tough loss last year," said linebacker Pepe Cisneros, referring to the 20-17 loss to Bay City in last year's semifinal. "We're just overcoming a lot of things. We've got to get to a whole other level."
   "A bunch of players last year didn't think we'd make it this far again," Garza said. "It was supposed to be a rebuilding year. But a bunch of guys made a commitment and we're back in the semifinals."
   Alice, which also made semifinal appearances in 1955 and '79, also benefits down the road from the extra games played this season.
   "It does wonders for a program," Whatley said. "For one thing, we've been working out a month longer. The JVs and the kids you have back next year, it gives you a chance to look at 'em more and work out more.
   "Once you start winning, it becomes a habit. People have to beat you instead of you having to beat people."
   Speedy Stings
   Texas City knows a little about that. A once dormant program in the 1980s, the Stings have become a power, not only in the Houston area, but statewide. Texas City won the 4A Division I championship in 1997. The Stings have made the playoffs in seven of Rusty Dowling's nine years as coach.
   Last week, running back Frank Gorom burned Nederland for 190 rushing yards and a score. The 5-foot-8 senior has gained 1,495 yards and scored 16 TDs, with No. 16 coming on an 84-yard run that nearly gave the Stings all the points they needed against the Bulldogs.
   Quarterback Chris Dottin has thrown for a modest 736 yards and eight scores. But it is the speed of Gorom and secondary players Jonathan Bell and Kevin Kelley, and the size of linemen such as consensus all-state player Marcel Moses (6-4, 305) that make the Stings a dangerous outfit.
   "Their running back is fast," Cisneros said. "If we can stop him, we'll be all right. We've got a good plan on the defensive side."
   Old-time football
   Whatley said the Coyotes can beat the Stings. Alice certainly has the offensive weapons to threaten the 23-4A champs. Fullback Ryan Moulder ran for 124 yards last week, pushing his season total to 1,126. Pruneda had rushed for 969 yards and 14 TDs and thrown for 1,034 yards and 14 TDs. Garza has 50 receptions for 922 yards and has scored 18 TDs.
   The plan, Whatley says, is to play "old-timey football, smack 'em a little bit . . . ."
   "We're quicker than those big ones, but we're not quicker than those fast ones," Whatley said. "We can go with 'em and get out-athleted by 'em and it's six points. That's always a concern. But I know one thing: It'll be after we fire our bullets 'cause we're going to play.



Staff writer George Vondracek can be reached at 886-3731 or by e-mail at vondracekg@caller.com

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