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Friday, October 22, 1999

Area Football Capsules

District 28-5A
   Moody at Carroll
   WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Buccaneer Stadium
   RECORDS: Moody 2-1 district, 5-2 overall; Carroll 2-1, 5-2
   LAST YEAR: Carroll 35, Moody 9
   LAST WEEK: Moody 35, King 17; Ray 13, Carroll 7
   THE GAME: Carroll has won the last two meetings between the teams. The last time Moody defeated Carroll was in 1996 when the Trojans pulled out a 16-14 victory. The Tigers are coming off a loss to Ray in which the Texans held the Tigers to 37 rush yards.
   After seeing Moody slip past the Texans by a point earlier in the year, Trojans coach Jim Elam wasn't surprised to hear the Texans had knocked off the playoff experienced Tigers. "It's an awful balanced district," Elam said, "and in any given week, you're liable to get ambushed. Ray's got a good team." The loss puts Carroll in a difficult position considering the Tigers meet the Trojans today and Victoria next week. "There's no doubt," Tigers coach Terry Morris said when asked if tonight's game was a must-win situation. "Probably more so for us than Moody. I believe it's a ballgame that we have to be successful in."
   Morris said the Tigers have played well in spurts this season but the inability to play that way on a consistent basis has cost them. "Our kids have held such high expectations." Morris said, "and not meeting those expectations has kind of diminished the fun of the game. So hopefully we can just try to play the game and have some fun." Morris said this isn't the same Moody team the Tigers have played in the past. He said the Trojans offense is completely different this season. "Offensively they're a more complete, balanced football team," Morris said. "They're at the place where we wanted to be at this point of the season - either by running the option or passing it. So, we're going to have to cover the whole field."
   Morris said Tigers TE Chase Foster is doubtful for tonight because of a strained neck. He said Carroll TB Frankie Morales was thrown out of bounds during last week's game and suffered a cut to his elbow, which required stitches. He said Morales is expected to play.
   Elam compared Morales to Victoria RB Bo Mallette in that they both are "very quick, explosive and good cutback runners." The Trojans defense must also contend with Carroll QB Marc Miller, whose speed can not be overlooked. "He's hurt people in both aspects," Elam said of Miller. "He's thrown the ball well at times and is very quick and elusive." Though Moody FB Robert Cristan's playing time was limited in last week's game because of an injury, Elam said Cristan will be available tonight.
   Victoria at King
   WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Cabaniss Multipurpose Stadium
   RECORDS: Victoria 3-0, 6-1; King 1-3, 1-6
   LAST YEAR: Victoria 42, King 0
   LAST WEEK: Victoria had a bye; Moody 35, King 17
   THE GAME: For homecoming, the Mustangs get to square off with a Stingarees team that has won 42 consecutive district games. King led the Moody last week at the half before the Trojans' third-quarter outburst put away the game.
   The Mustangs have played competitively in district but have only one victory. "I think the main thing is we haven't played well for four quarters," King coach Scott Powers said, "and the one quarter we don't play well, we make enough mistakes for us to lose." Powers said the Mustangs must play their best ballgame if they are to be the ones to stop the Stings' district winning streak. The Mustangs defense must find an answer for Victoria RB Bo Mallette. "We have to gang tackle him," Powers said of Mallette. "You can't do it one-on-one."
   QB Tommy Cook is the Stings' other main option out of the backfield. Powers and team aren't likely to overlook Cook's capabilities either. Cook (34-68, 422 yds., 1 TD) has completed 50 percent of his passes this season. "You can't forget about him," Powers said. "You can't let him roll out because he's a threat throwing and running." Powers said the Stings front four down lineman "stick out like a sore thumb" and that group concerns him the most on the defense.
   Power said the Mustangs could be without CB Anthony Lawson, who is questionable for today's game because of a cracked rib. He said the Mustangs hoped to get DBs Jeff Harvey and Travis McGee back this week. Both players have been bothered by injuries.
   Victoria leads the district in scoring offense and scoring defense after outscoring opponents on average, 30-17. The Stings are also 1st in total offense (397.9-yds. avg.) Mallette is running away with the district rushing title. He (1,308 yards) has nearly 400 more yds. than his closest competitor, Carroll's Frankie Morales (925). Mallette also leads in total offense (1,378 yds., 196.9-yds. avg.). Cook is 7th in total offense (142.7-yds. per gm).
   District 31-4A
   Flour Bluff at Alice
   WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
   RECORDS: FB 0-4, 1-6; Alice 3-1, 5-2
   LAST YEAR: Alice 49, FB 0
   LAST WEEK: Alice 67, Robstown 0; Kingsville 55, FB 21
   THE GAME: Seven weeks into the season, Alice couldn't ask for much more. Wins in two of the next three weeks would virtually clinch a playoff spot. "Well, at least we control our own destiny. You always want that," Coyotes coach Van Tom Whatley said. "We still have to improve week to week, and I'm not sure how much we are. But now's the time to do that if you want to and have the senior leadership to do so. A lot of teams are bored at this point and don't want to improve. Hopefully, we' will."
   Alice avoided boredom last week with the 10 TDs vs. Robstown. WR-RB Mark Garza scored three times, 2 on passes from QB J.P. Pruneda, to run his season total to eight, tying him with RB Ryan Moulder. RBs Greg Cruz and Bill Bailey added 2 TDs each as Alice rang up 418 yds., its 2nd-best total of the season. Four other TDs were called back because of penalties and Alice's second-teamers finished the final two quarters.
   The Bluff ran into Kingsville's potent offense and suffered its worst loss of the season. That came despite 372 yds. of offense, but the Hornets fell off in the second half. That doesn't lessen Whatley's concern. "They're dangerous to us simply because the have some skill kids that can run," Whatley said. "We don't have a lot of those kids."
   RB John Paul Barta (911 yds.) retained the district rushing lead with 129 yds. and 2 TDs. He also threw for a score. He is tied for the 4A area scoring lead with Kingsville's David Esquivel and Beeville's Garrett Tindol. WR Daniel Baker (31 rec., 464 yds.) remains ranked among the top 4A receivers in the state. The Hornets haven't beaten Alice in three tries.
   Robstown at Gregory-Portland
   WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
   RECORDS: Robstown 0-4, 0-7; G-P 2-2 3-4
   LAST YEAR: G-P 21, Robstown 12
   LAST WEEK: Rockport-Fulton 42, G-P 0; Alice 67, Robstown 0
   THE GAME: The good news for Robstown is that starting center Michael Gonzalez returns from a shoulder injury he suffered in the third game. QB Jesse Rubio, who suffered a leg injury in the second game, has been cleared to play. Whether that will provide enough impact to improve the Cotton Pickers' offense - they average a shade better than 107 yds. per game - remains to be seen. "We still have that positive attitude about things," Robstown coach Jose Carillo said. "They're disturbed things haven't worked out. We had a good week of practice last week but things are just not working out." Robstown opponents are scoring an average of nearly 57 points per game.
   That should come as welcome news to G-P, which has been shut out the last two weeks. The Wildcats, who haven't lost to Robstown since a 20-10 defeat in 1968, aren't out of the playoff chase. They'll need a win in this game to at least keep their hopes breathing. G-P has played everyone close this season, save for last week when Rockport-Fulton's defense scored 2 TDs and negated any offensive movement. QB Brett Keener, who got some playing time at his old RB spot last week when Eric Moreno came on late in relief, still leads G-P with 470 rush yds. and 7 TDs. Keener also has thrown for 444 yds. RBs Kris Owen (342 yds.) and Justin Morales (286 yds.) also figure in G-P's arsenal.
   Rockport-Fulton at Calallen
   WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
   RECORDS: Calallen 4-0, 7-1; R-F 4-0, 7-1
   LAST YEAR: Calallen 13, R-F 9
   LAST WEEK: Calallen 21, Tuloso-Midway 7; R-F 42, Gregory-Portland 0
   THE GAME: Unlike Calallen, Rockport-Fulton has had the luxury of having its offensive backfield intact. That option, featuring QB Randy Key, FB Alan Soriano and HBs David Moss and Brett Baer, is what has kept Calallen's defensive minds occupied. "They've been executing all year long since two-a-days," said Calallen coach Phil Danaher, whose team and R-F are tied for the district lead. "Here they are clicking away in the eighth game of the season with the same people." The Pirates' offense has averaged 345 yds. and nearly 38 pts. per game. Those are showy numbers, but all R-F coach Gary Autry asks is that his Pirates stay consistent. "The key is to play as well as we have the last two Fridays. Play well, play with intensity and be focused," Autry said. "I feel sure our kids will be. We don't need a super-human effort from the kids. We just need to play well."
   Which is what Calallen has done this season, especially on defense. Opponents are scoring 8.4 pts. a game and gaining 180 yds. "Our defense has played well and they're going to have to play real well and real disciplined Friday night," Danaher said. "Anytime you're against the Wishbone or Veer, you make one mistake and they're going the other way. We made one mistake last year and they took it in for a long TD." That was Ryan Knostman's 57-yarder. Calallen's defense again prevailed, though, with the 9 points scored being the first R-F had tallied in five previous games. The Wildcats' last loss to R-F came in 1986, 28-21. RB Victor Price (817 yds., 8 TDs) still is nursing a sore ankle despite running for 81 yds. and his 8th TD last week. Danaher lists him doubtful for the game. RBs Matt Bode (373 yds.) and Ryland Kirchoff (334 yds.) have provided the offensive support while Price ails. "It loks to me like they've got another good football team," Autry said. "The thing you have to understand about Calallen is they have a very established program. Established programs are going to have a good team year in and year out."
   Tuloso-Midway at Kingsville
   WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
   RECORDS: T-M 1-3, 3-4; Kingsville 2-2, 3-4
   LAST YEAR: Kingsville 43, T-M 22
   LAST WEEK: Calallen 21, T-M 7; Kingsville 55, Flour Bluff 21
   THE GAME: Both schools' postseason hopes are flickering. A setback in this one locks out the losing school, while the winner will need help. "There's always an outside shot," T-M coach Greg Crawford. "We talked as a team that our goal is to win the last three and be 6-4, have a winning season and see what happens." The Warriors had their best shot for their first win over Calallen since 1983 last week. They led at half, 7-0, before the Wildcats took advantage of three second-half mistakes.
   This week, the Warriors have to contend with the area 4A total offense leader, Kingsville QB David Esquivel (439 rush yds., 789 pass yds., 11 TDs). "I don't think you're ever going to stop Esquivel," Crawford said. "You just try to contain him. The big key for our ballclub is to keep the ball away from him. Your best defense is having your offense on the field." But the Warriors have sputtered the last three games, failing to score in double-digits. RB Arnold Navarijo (6 TDs) surpassed the 400-yd. rush mark for the season at 452 after gaining 60 vs. Calallen, and RB Mike Favela is closing on the 400 mark.
   The Brahmas tuned up with a big win over the Bluff, racking up 574 yds. of offense and limiting the Hornets' John Paul Barta to 129 yds. "Anytime you can hold Barta down like they did, you're doing something," Crawford said of Kingsville's defense. Chris Campbell (307 yds., 4 gms.) and Balde Escamilla (321 yds., 4 gms.) both topped 100 yds. rushing last week. Roland Pecos (12-152) and David Gonzalez (10-162) have been Escamilla's favorite targets, although David Kuti has 8 rec. for 219 yds. For Kingsville to continue entertaining postseason thoughts, a win is essential, as Rockport-Fulton and Calallen are coming up on the schedule.
   District 30-4A
   Beeville at Pleasanton
   WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
   RECORDS: Beeville 2-0, 6-1; Pleasanton 2-0, 2-5
   LAST YEAR: Pleasanton 21, Beeville 15
   LAST WEEK: Beeville 50, S.A. Kennedy 3; Pleasanton 35, S.A. Memorial 13
   THE GAME: District supremacy is on the line. Beeville probably thought that to be unlikely after going 0-5 in 30-4A last year, and Pleasanton likely thought the same after fumbling their way to an 0-5 start this year. And unlike the last two weeks, the Trojans must realize what's at stake. They also must do it without easing up after last week's romp. "We basically just played a game that didn't require a lot of intensity," Beeville coach Wayne Coleman said. "What we don't want to do is wake up in the second quarter this week and realize we're losing, 7-0. It's kind of the vice versa deal of the Floresville game a couple of weeks ago, when we tried to downplay it. This is a big game. Like it or not, this is a big game."
   QB Dusty Stewart set Beeville's career passing yardage record with 173 yds. vs. Kennedy. The record-breaker came on his 42-yd. TD pass to James Rorick. Stewart has thrown for 906 yds. this season and 2,232 in his career. RB Garrett Tindol (692 rush yds., 11 TDs) got a chance to rest his shoulder last week. He's been cleared by doctors and will play against the Eagles.
   The Eagles are a different team than the one that coughed up the ball nine times in a 14-12 loss to Tuloso-Midway a month ago. Bidding for its sixth straight playoff berth, Pleasanton bested Memorial behind the 251 yds. of offense from QB Mike Ortiz. That was 26 more than Memorial accumulated. LB Hayden McCraw is attracting the attention of college scouts. "If we can block McCraw and tackle Ortiz, we'll be all right," Coleman said.
   District 30-3A
   Sinton at West Oso
   WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Bear Stadium
   RECORDS: Sinton 6-1, 2-0. WO 6-1, 2-0.
   LAST YEAR: WO 13, Sinton 12
   LAST WEEK: Sinton 10, Odem 7; WO 57, Ingleside 12
   THE GAME: The Bears welcomed back RB Steven Fillmore during last week's game against the Mustangs. Fillmore - he has missed most of the season with a quadriceps injury - returned to gain 29 yds on four carries. "Physically Steven's back to 100 percent," WO coach Joe Sendejar said. "He's just not in game condition since he's been out for so long. We're working him in slowly so he can get back into game-time conditioning." When inserted in the backfield, Fillmore rejoins his brother DeAndre Fillmore, who is among the leading rushers in the area.
   Last week, DeAndre Fillmore, QB Richard Gonzalez and RB Anthony Lydell combined for 492 of the 528 rushing yds. the Bears amassed vs. the Mustangs. The Bears squeaked out a victory in Sinton last season, but Sendejar said the Pirates' offense personnel has a different look this year. "Last year they had (Craig) Jones and (Robert) Hughes," Sendejar said, "and you knew one of those two players were going to get the ball. They distribute the ball offensively to 3 or 4 different backs they rotate in there this year. They also have a great tight end in (Jesse) Marcum and some good wide receivers. There's not one basic player you need to key on." Sendejar said Marcum is also the one to watch on the Pirates defense. Sendejar called Marcum, "by far, the best linebacker in the district and a mainstay on defense."
   West Oso will play its first home game since defeating Aransas Pass, 21-18, in the final minute two weeks ago. Sendejar said he isn't sure the Bears are the best team in the district yet but if they continue to play well that will be determined in the coming weeks. "We have to overcome the feeling that we're 2-0 and unstoppable," Sendejar said. "If we play like it every Friday night then we will be (the district champion) but we can't go into it thinking that we're No.1."
   The Pirates survived a scare from rival Odem last Friday. Sinton scored 10 points in the final 3:34 to pull out a victory. "I never had a doubt our kids were going to play until the end," Sinton coach Brent Davis said. "I can't sit here and tell you (they were going to win). Who knew?" Sinton has reached the meat of their schedule. After taking on West Oso tonight, the Pirates have another difficult test the following week. "It doesn't get any easier," Davis said of Sinton's schedule. "(The Bears are) tough, they've got a great coaching staff and that (DeAndre) Fillmore kid is the best running back in South Texas. Then next week it gets even worse but at least we get AP (Aransas Pass) here."



Compiled by staff writers George Vondracek and Stu Duncan

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