Scoop27
11-20-2013, 06:38 PM
From Wharton Journal-Spectator
The Tigers made school history last week when they beat Yoakum, winning the school’s third straight bi-district championship. Now they hope they will duplicate the success of the 2011 team by claiming a victory in the second round against the La Vernia Bears.
Wharton is also having one of its best seasons ever as far as victories. With a 9-2 record, they’ve surpassed last year’s number of wins as the 2012 Tigers finished 8-4. A win this week would give the Tigers the most wins in a season since the 1950 state champion Tigers went 14-0-1. The Tigers are currently tied for second place with the 1979 and 1986 teams, which also had nine-victory seasons.
The Tigers will have their hands full this week going up against La Vernia, which won its district and enters the game with a 10-1 record. Don’t expect the game to be like last week’s scorefest in which the Tigers defeated Yoakum, 56-35.
“It’s going to be a completely different style of football game,” Wharton Coach Tim Finn said. “This is a physical matchup.”
Finn said the Bears are a run-first team, gaining about 5 yards a crack before hitting a team with a pass or big play.
“This is one of those ground and pound teams,” Finn said.
Junior quarterback Colby Skelton leads the team, with tailback Vince Gill and running back Landon Richter carrying the ball.
“The quarterback does a good job executing the offense,” Finn said. “He’ll hit a receiver every now and then for a big play.”
Receiver Levi Andrews is also a threat as a return man.
Richter also sees action at linebacker, joined by linebackers Kody Bullard and Noah McMeans. Up front is defensive end Matthew Montgomery.
“They mix it up on defense and have a lot of man coverage,” Finn said. “They are very aggressive up front. They have a good front seven.”
Finn said ball control will be a key in the game.
“We’ve got to get the ball in our offense’s hands and not let them dominate time of possession,” Finn said.
Gobbler Stadium has been attracting several playoff games this year as this is the first season for the field to have artificial turf. In fact, the Wharton freshman team was the first team to play on it as the two schools met in the first week of the season this year.
Last week’s bi-district playoff was dominated by the two teams’ offenses.
“It was a great game for the fans to watch,” Finn said. “There was plenty of action. It was an explosive high school football game.”
Finn was pleased with the Tigers’ balanced offensive attack of 247 yards rushing and 242 yards passing.
“It couldn’t have come out any closer if we were trying to do that,” Finn said. “That’s excellent balance.”
Finn also praised the special teams for a punt blocked by Dontre Elliott, who was also the team’s leading rusher in the game.
“One of the best plays he made was blocking that punt,” Finn said.
Finn added, “The special teams played a big role in the game. We got great field position out of our kick returns.”
Finn said the defense played well with the exception of two big plays by Yoakum.
Keyshawn Johnson had one of his best games, Finn said, and Zackery Laws had a couple of sacks for losses. Finn also noted that Devante Durgan forced a fumble that led to a Chris Green touchdown.
Wharton is the only team from District 25-3A still in the playoffs. El Campo, Bellville and Columbus all lost their bi-district playoff games last weekend.
The winner of Friday’s game will advance to the regional round and will play the winner of the Orange Grove (10-1) vs. Port Isabel (11-0) game.
The Tigers made school history last week when they beat Yoakum, winning the school’s third straight bi-district championship. Now they hope they will duplicate the success of the 2011 team by claiming a victory in the second round against the La Vernia Bears.
Wharton is also having one of its best seasons ever as far as victories. With a 9-2 record, they’ve surpassed last year’s number of wins as the 2012 Tigers finished 8-4. A win this week would give the Tigers the most wins in a season since the 1950 state champion Tigers went 14-0-1. The Tigers are currently tied for second place with the 1979 and 1986 teams, which also had nine-victory seasons.
The Tigers will have their hands full this week going up against La Vernia, which won its district and enters the game with a 10-1 record. Don’t expect the game to be like last week’s scorefest in which the Tigers defeated Yoakum, 56-35.
“It’s going to be a completely different style of football game,” Wharton Coach Tim Finn said. “This is a physical matchup.”
Finn said the Bears are a run-first team, gaining about 5 yards a crack before hitting a team with a pass or big play.
“This is one of those ground and pound teams,” Finn said.
Junior quarterback Colby Skelton leads the team, with tailback Vince Gill and running back Landon Richter carrying the ball.
“The quarterback does a good job executing the offense,” Finn said. “He’ll hit a receiver every now and then for a big play.”
Receiver Levi Andrews is also a threat as a return man.
Richter also sees action at linebacker, joined by linebackers Kody Bullard and Noah McMeans. Up front is defensive end Matthew Montgomery.
“They mix it up on defense and have a lot of man coverage,” Finn said. “They are very aggressive up front. They have a good front seven.”
Finn said ball control will be a key in the game.
“We’ve got to get the ball in our offense’s hands and not let them dominate time of possession,” Finn said.
Gobbler Stadium has been attracting several playoff games this year as this is the first season for the field to have artificial turf. In fact, the Wharton freshman team was the first team to play on it as the two schools met in the first week of the season this year.
Last week’s bi-district playoff was dominated by the two teams’ offenses.
“It was a great game for the fans to watch,” Finn said. “There was plenty of action. It was an explosive high school football game.”
Finn was pleased with the Tigers’ balanced offensive attack of 247 yards rushing and 242 yards passing.
“It couldn’t have come out any closer if we were trying to do that,” Finn said. “That’s excellent balance.”
Finn also praised the special teams for a punt blocked by Dontre Elliott, who was also the team’s leading rusher in the game.
“One of the best plays he made was blocking that punt,” Finn said.
Finn added, “The special teams played a big role in the game. We got great field position out of our kick returns.”
Finn said the defense played well with the exception of two big plays by Yoakum.
Keyshawn Johnson had one of his best games, Finn said, and Zackery Laws had a couple of sacks for losses. Finn also noted that Devante Durgan forced a fumble that led to a Chris Green touchdown.
Wharton is the only team from District 25-3A still in the playoffs. El Campo, Bellville and Columbus all lost their bi-district playoff games last weekend.
The winner of Friday’s game will advance to the regional round and will play the winner of the Orange Grove (10-1) vs. Port Isabel (11-0) game.