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Friday, November 5, 1999

28-5A title in Carroll's crosshairs
King stands between Tigers, district crown
By Stu Duncan
Caller-Times

Carroll High School may have broken 'The Streak' last week, but the District 28-5A football champion has yet to be determined.
   And though it appears Carroll will play San Antonio East Central in the Division I Class 5A bi-district playoffs, the Tigers have something special to play for tonight against King.
   After ruining Victoria High School's 43-game district unbeaten streak last week, the Tigers can capture a share of the district title tonight. The Tigers, tied with the Stingarees (7-2) for the District 28-5A lead with a 4-1 district record, need a victory against the Mustangs tonight at Cabaniss Multipurpose Stadium. A Carroll win coupled with a Miller (0-5, 1-8) victory against Victoria tonight at Buccaneer Stadium would hand the Tigers the district title outright. It would be Carroll's first district championship since 1991 when the Tigers went 8-0 in District 30-5A games under then coach Jim Slaughter.
   "It's a huge step forward for us," Carroll coach Terry Morris said of his team beating the Stings. "Certainly our kids are going to have to refocus. I don't think we've played our best ballgame yet so hopefully this is the week to do it."
   When asked if he was worried about a Tigers letdown after the emotional victory against Victoria Morris said, "King has the ability to elevate their play. Our kids have demonstrated the ability to play down a level or two in the past. So, it is a concern."
   Already out of the playoff picture, King (1-4, 2-7) is left playing for pride to close the season. The Mustangs showed plenty of life last week when they notched a 34-21 non-district victory against Wharton.
   The Mustangs hope to avoid rival Carroll locking up the district title against them for the second time in eight years. Carroll defeated the Mustangs 37-7 in 1991.
   "It's not necessarily a playoff-type game for us," King football coach Scott Powers said. "It is a big rivalry between two excellent schools and the kids know each other well. Emotions are going to be running high on both sides."
   Moody (3-2, 6-3) also has plenty at stake tonight when they travel to play Victoria Stroman (2-3, 4-5) to play at Memorial Stadium.
   The Trojans' playoff scenario is simple. If Moody defeats the Raiders, the Trojans are playoff bound because they nipped Ray, 36-35, earlier in the season. If the Trojans lose, the Texans (5-5, 4-2) get in as the district's third playoff team. Moody or Ray would probably meet District 27-5A champion San Antonio Highlands in the Division II bi-district playoffs. Victoria would play San Antonio Harlandale, San Antonio McCollum or South San Antonio depending on the results of tonight's games.
   "If we win we're in," Moody football coach Jim Elam said. "If not, then we're packing up equipment.
   "As far as we know, this is the last game for that high school and I'm sure they're using that as a tremendous motivator," Elam said of Stroman's consolidation with Victoria next year. "We have to take care of our business, get a victory and then get on that bus and go home."
   "I think it gives the kids something to play for," Victoria Stroman football coach Tal Elliott said. "The old clich‚, '48 minutes to play but a lifetime to remember' not only applies to these players but to everyone who has graduated from Stroman High School. They will remember how it (the last game) turned out. So, it adds symbolism and there's some extra motivation to it."
   The Trojans struck for three touchdowns in their first three possessions against Miller last week, in building a 35-7 lead. Miller mounted a comeback, before Moody prevailed, 44-21.
   The Trojans' defense must now contend with a Raiders offense that has the most potent passing attack in the district. Victoria Stroman is averaging a district-best 204 passing yards per game.
   "They're a hard team to prepare for," Elam said. "They have an offense you don't commonly see, with all one back sets and no tight end. Marvin Gray's a good running back and we're going to have to play great run defense. They do a lot of neat stuff in their passing game and that will put pressure on your defense. They also have three really good receivers."

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