Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Far from finished, Carroll just getting started

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Friday, October 29, 1999

Far from finished, Carroll just getting started

By Stu Duncan
Caller-Times

Maybe the Carroll High School football team isn't finished.
   Maybe it's just getting started.
   The Tigers turned their season around with last week's 31-0 District 28-5A victory over Moody, and now the Tigers aren't thinking just about the playoffs. Carroll (6-2 overall, 3-1 in district games) has turned its attention to the district championship.
   Standing in its way is longtime nemesis Victoria (7-1, 4-0), which is riding a 43-game district winning streak.
   Tigers coach Terry Morris said tonight's game at Victoria's Memorial Stadium has nothing to do with past performances against the Stingarees.
   That's the good news for Carroll, which has had its troubles against the Stings in recent years.
   Victoria has won the last seven meetings between the schools and is 9-2 against the Tigers in the last 11 years. Carroll hasn't beaten the Stings since a 31-21 road victory in 1991.
   "We felt we've needed to get our kids to the level of Calallen and Victoria," Morris said. "So when you have an opportunity to compete against a good program, it certainly heightens the awareness of the game.
   "You don't wake up in the morning and say, 'Geez, I want to be second best.' You want to be a champion and you teach your kids to take steps to be a champion."
   Victoria coach Wayne Condra understands the implications of tonight's game.
   "This is a big ballgame," Condra said. "It's always a thrill to be able to participate in games like this. When two great schools have an opportunity to get out on the field and play for a district championship, it's exciting for both teams."
   Last year the Tigers were in the same situation, but Victoria roughed up Carroll, 38-14, en route to its sixth consecutive district championship.
   Three special teams miscues by Carroll led to three Victoria touchdowns. Victoria outscored the Tigers 24-0 in the second half to break a 14-14 tie.
   The Stings sputtered early in district games this year before coming on strong. Victoria overcame early deficits against Ray and Moody to post victories.
   "I think those teams came out and played great games," Condra said. "Our kids kept fighting and were able to overcome those deficits, but I can't take anything from (the Texans and Trojans)."
   Meanwhile, the Tigers started quickly against Moody last week, striking for 14 points in the first 90 seconds of the game on the way to a 21-0 halftime advantage.
   "We'd love to see our kids get out in front," Morris said. "But realistically, this is one of those four-quarter ballgames that we need to play well in to give ourselves a chance to win in the fourth quarter."

   Carroll vs. Victoria varsity football
   Victoria is 9-2 against Carroll in the last 11 meetings
   1998 - Victoria 38, Carroll 14
   1997 - Victoria 35, Carroll 0
   1996 - Victoria 45, Carroll 13
   1995 - Victoria 36, Carroll 0
   1994 - Victoria 29, Carroll 0
   1993 - Victoria 28, Carroll 10
   1992 - Victoria 24, Carroll 0
   1991 - Carroll 31, Victoria 21
   1990 - Victoria 28, Carroll 10
   1989 - Victoria 14, Carroll 6
   1988 - Carroll 13, Victoria 3



Staff writer Stu Duncan can be reached at 886-3615 or by e-mail at duncans@caller.com

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