Scoop27
09-12-2013, 03:53 AM
By BUTCH McREYNOLDS sports@thefacts.com | 0 comments
WEST COLUMBIA — Columbia coach Randy Lynch knows what to expect when his 2-0 group of Roughnecks invade Wharton’s Tiger Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. matchup Friday night.
A year ago Wharton came into Griggs Field and came from behind for a thrilling 23-21 victory on a rainy, lightning-filled night.
“I remember that game well,” Lynch says. “We had a lightning delay and then managed to take an early lead (14-3) but Wharton came back and beat us. They later proved it was no fluke when they went on to the regionals.”
Of course, that was last year.
“This is a new year and both teams are completely different now,” Lynch said. “Wharton is just like us. They are trying to replace a bunch of kids on both sides of the ball. They are carrying a lot of sophomores on their squad, just like we are.
Columbia is coming off a 33-21 win over Needville.
“We expect another tough game,” Lynch said. “We got pretty banged up against Needville and we could have as many as five starters not play Friday. We are not making any excuses here, because we are going over there to win just like we would any other game.”
There will be 13 sophomores on the bus to Wharton on Friday night.
“Like I said, both teams are young, but talented,” Lynch said. “We are bringing two more players up from the junior varsity to help us out.”
Although the Tigers have a lot of new faces in their camp also, Lynch has watched films of their wins over Cuero (23-22) and Houston Scarborough (71-0) and was impressed with what he saw.
“Wharton may have the fastest defense we will play this year,” Lynch said. “They are so fast to the ball, always in the attack mode.
“They run a spread offense and their quarterback (Joseph Krenek) is a senior and knows how to run the offense,” he said. “They are fast-paced and have a lot of very good, skilled players.”
In the 71-0 win over outmanned Scarborough, Krenek was 5-foot-7 in the passing department for 148 yards and three touchdowns.
“We obviously learned more from the Cuero game because it was such a close game all the way,” Lynch said. “Cuero pushed across the late touchdown but missed on the conversion and Wharton pulled off the big win.”
One of Columbia’s main concerns going into the Friday showdown is its banged-up and inexperienced defense, which allowed 440 yards per game in opening wins over Brazosport and Needville.
“We really can’t afford to lose defensive players but that’s the way this game rolls sometimes,” Lynch said. “We no doubt need the reps on defense and need to come together as a unit. On the plus side, we have been able to come up with four fumbles in our two wins, so we need to continue that trend.”
Offensively the Roughnecks have leaned heavily on the team’s tank-like back, sophomore Dakarius Bell, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound back who gained 459 yards on 66 carries in the first two wins. Bell, who also has scored seven touchdowns in the two games, is not a surprise to the Columbia coaches.
“We knew when he was on the freshman team that he could be special, and he has done nothing to disappoint us thus far,” Lynch said. “He has a chance to be something special before he is through here.”
Junior quarterback Jarius Kesee had his first 100-plus passing game last week against Needville.
“We need to keep the ball away from them as long as possible,” Lynch said. “We need to control the ball and the clock and keep their offense off the field.”
Wharton, which held the Houston squad to a minus-42 yards total offense last week, is off to its best start since 1999. Joseph Krenek (17-for-24, 254 passing yards, three TDs) leads from under center, while the run game is led by Toney Rogers (14-107 yards, 7.64 per carry, three TDs).
“Wharton will be a challenge, but I think our kids will be up to that challenge,” Lynch said. “It should be a really good football game.”
This is the 65th meeting between the schools, and the series is knotted at 31-31-3
WEST COLUMBIA — Columbia coach Randy Lynch knows what to expect when his 2-0 group of Roughnecks invade Wharton’s Tiger Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. matchup Friday night.
A year ago Wharton came into Griggs Field and came from behind for a thrilling 23-21 victory on a rainy, lightning-filled night.
“I remember that game well,” Lynch says. “We had a lightning delay and then managed to take an early lead (14-3) but Wharton came back and beat us. They later proved it was no fluke when they went on to the regionals.”
Of course, that was last year.
“This is a new year and both teams are completely different now,” Lynch said. “Wharton is just like us. They are trying to replace a bunch of kids on both sides of the ball. They are carrying a lot of sophomores on their squad, just like we are.
Columbia is coming off a 33-21 win over Needville.
“We expect another tough game,” Lynch said. “We got pretty banged up against Needville and we could have as many as five starters not play Friday. We are not making any excuses here, because we are going over there to win just like we would any other game.”
There will be 13 sophomores on the bus to Wharton on Friday night.
“Like I said, both teams are young, but talented,” Lynch said. “We are bringing two more players up from the junior varsity to help us out.”
Although the Tigers have a lot of new faces in their camp also, Lynch has watched films of their wins over Cuero (23-22) and Houston Scarborough (71-0) and was impressed with what he saw.
“Wharton may have the fastest defense we will play this year,” Lynch said. “They are so fast to the ball, always in the attack mode.
“They run a spread offense and their quarterback (Joseph Krenek) is a senior and knows how to run the offense,” he said. “They are fast-paced and have a lot of very good, skilled players.”
In the 71-0 win over outmanned Scarborough, Krenek was 5-foot-7 in the passing department for 148 yards and three touchdowns.
“We obviously learned more from the Cuero game because it was such a close game all the way,” Lynch said. “Cuero pushed across the late touchdown but missed on the conversion and Wharton pulled off the big win.”
One of Columbia’s main concerns going into the Friday showdown is its banged-up and inexperienced defense, which allowed 440 yards per game in opening wins over Brazosport and Needville.
“We really can’t afford to lose defensive players but that’s the way this game rolls sometimes,” Lynch said. “We no doubt need the reps on defense and need to come together as a unit. On the plus side, we have been able to come up with four fumbles in our two wins, so we need to continue that trend.”
Offensively the Roughnecks have leaned heavily on the team’s tank-like back, sophomore Dakarius Bell, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound back who gained 459 yards on 66 carries in the first two wins. Bell, who also has scored seven touchdowns in the two games, is not a surprise to the Columbia coaches.
“We knew when he was on the freshman team that he could be special, and he has done nothing to disappoint us thus far,” Lynch said. “He has a chance to be something special before he is through here.”
Junior quarterback Jarius Kesee had his first 100-plus passing game last week against Needville.
“We need to keep the ball away from them as long as possible,” Lynch said. “We need to control the ball and the clock and keep their offense off the field.”
Wharton, which held the Houston squad to a minus-42 yards total offense last week, is off to its best start since 1999. Joseph Krenek (17-for-24, 254 passing yards, three TDs) leads from under center, while the run game is led by Toney Rogers (14-107 yards, 7.64 per carry, three TDs).
“Wharton will be a challenge, but I think our kids will be up to that challenge,” Lynch said. “It should be a really good football game.”
This is the 65th meeting between the schools, and the series is knotted at 31-31-3