Scoop27
11-14-2012, 10:01 PM
It’s that time of year again.
Some coaches call it the “second season” as this week marks the first round of the 2012 University Interscholastic League’s Class 3A Division I playoffs.
And after the Ricebirds finished a perfect 10-0 and 6-0 in District 25-3A, the team is prepared to make a deep run in the playoffs.
El Campo will square off with the La Grange Leopards (8-2, 6-1) Friday night at Victoria Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The Leopards won the District 26-3A title and are known for their football tradition.
La Grange won the state title in 2000 and 1975 in Class 3A and the Leopards anticipate another fruitful run in the playoffs.
“It’s an expectation around here,” La Grange coach Matt Kates said. “A district championship is great and all, but our kids dream about state titles. That is not by any means the goal when you come to La Grange. It’s about championship tradition.”
The Leopards finished 4-6 overall and 2-3 in District 23-3A last season under Kates. La Grange returned 24 lettermen and have 13 returning starters – seven on offense and five on defense.
La Grange runs multiple offensive sets and rushes the ball 60 percent of the time. Leopard quarterback Logan Vinklarek passed for 1,250 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 165 yards and seven touchdowns and the Ricebirds will have Vinklarek on their radar.
“Their quarterback is a big kid,” El Campo coach Bob Gillis said. “He can both throw and run the ball really good. Their offensive line does a good job coming off the ball and their defensive front is very strong.”
The Ricebirds’ defense has been the strong point all season long as they have only allowed their opponents to an impressive 12.4 points per game.
“Our defense has definitely been our common denominator all season,” El Campo senior Trey Martin said. “We really play as a unit and get 11 hats to the ball like our coaches preach.”
It’s not all about the defense for El Campo though. The Ricebirds average 39.7 points per game offensively and are charged by the thunder and lighting duo of seniors Montray Jonhson and Jack Davis. The team is also led by its quarterback senior Bryce Brandl, who is a theat on the ground and in the air.
However, the running game wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for one issue in particular.
“I think it all starts with the offensive line,” Martin said. “We set the tempo for the game. You have to also give credit to our backs for running hard all season.”
La Grange understands the Ricebirds’ offensive power and what they are capable of Friday night.
“They are a well-coached football team,” Kates said. “No. 30 (Johnson) and No. 2 (Davis) are heck of football players ... defensively, No. 6 (Cole Hunt) is also a heck of a player. They do one heck of a job and we will have to play well to win.”
What will it take for a Leopards’ victory?
“It always comes down to two things ... you have to run the football and stop the run,” Kates said. “In the day of the spread offense if you look at championship football teams it all comes down to stopping the run.”
What will it take for a Ricebird win?
“We have to play hard for four quarters of the game,” Gillis said. “We are facing a very good team Friday.”
Martin believes team chemistry is imperative if they want to advance in the playoffs.
“We have really been playing as a team and we must keep it up to make a deep run in the playoffs,” he said.
El Campo is 1-1 all-time against La Grange with its last meeting in the bi-district playoffs back in 1946. That Ricebird team shut out the Leopards 12-0.
The Ricebirds travel to face La Grange in the bi-district round of the playoffs Friday night at Victoria Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
Some coaches call it the “second season” as this week marks the first round of the 2012 University Interscholastic League’s Class 3A Division I playoffs.
And after the Ricebirds finished a perfect 10-0 and 6-0 in District 25-3A, the team is prepared to make a deep run in the playoffs.
El Campo will square off with the La Grange Leopards (8-2, 6-1) Friday night at Victoria Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The Leopards won the District 26-3A title and are known for their football tradition.
La Grange won the state title in 2000 and 1975 in Class 3A and the Leopards anticipate another fruitful run in the playoffs.
“It’s an expectation around here,” La Grange coach Matt Kates said. “A district championship is great and all, but our kids dream about state titles. That is not by any means the goal when you come to La Grange. It’s about championship tradition.”
The Leopards finished 4-6 overall and 2-3 in District 23-3A last season under Kates. La Grange returned 24 lettermen and have 13 returning starters – seven on offense and five on defense.
La Grange runs multiple offensive sets and rushes the ball 60 percent of the time. Leopard quarterback Logan Vinklarek passed for 1,250 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 165 yards and seven touchdowns and the Ricebirds will have Vinklarek on their radar.
“Their quarterback is a big kid,” El Campo coach Bob Gillis said. “He can both throw and run the ball really good. Their offensive line does a good job coming off the ball and their defensive front is very strong.”
The Ricebirds’ defense has been the strong point all season long as they have only allowed their opponents to an impressive 12.4 points per game.
“Our defense has definitely been our common denominator all season,” El Campo senior Trey Martin said. “We really play as a unit and get 11 hats to the ball like our coaches preach.”
It’s not all about the defense for El Campo though. The Ricebirds average 39.7 points per game offensively and are charged by the thunder and lighting duo of seniors Montray Jonhson and Jack Davis. The team is also led by its quarterback senior Bryce Brandl, who is a theat on the ground and in the air.
However, the running game wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for one issue in particular.
“I think it all starts with the offensive line,” Martin said. “We set the tempo for the game. You have to also give credit to our backs for running hard all season.”
La Grange understands the Ricebirds’ offensive power and what they are capable of Friday night.
“They are a well-coached football team,” Kates said. “No. 30 (Johnson) and No. 2 (Davis) are heck of football players ... defensively, No. 6 (Cole Hunt) is also a heck of a player. They do one heck of a job and we will have to play well to win.”
What will it take for a Leopards’ victory?
“It always comes down to two things ... you have to run the football and stop the run,” Kates said. “In the day of the spread offense if you look at championship football teams it all comes down to stopping the run.”
What will it take for a Ricebird win?
“We have to play hard for four quarters of the game,” Gillis said. “We are facing a very good team Friday.”
Martin believes team chemistry is imperative if they want to advance in the playoffs.
“We have really been playing as a team and we must keep it up to make a deep run in the playoffs,” he said.
El Campo is 1-1 all-time against La Grange with its last meeting in the bi-district playoffs back in 1946. That Ricebird team shut out the Leopards 12-0.
The Ricebirds travel to face La Grange in the bi-district round of the playoffs Friday night at Victoria Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.