Scoop27
10-23-2014, 11:19 AM
From the Brazosport Facts
SWEENY — Coming off a ho-hum 25-2 victory over Columbus this past week, the Sweeny Bulldogs now brace for an all important road trip to Bellville.
Sweeny (1-0, 5-2) and Bellville (2-0, 7-1) will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Brahmas Stadium.
The Brahmas are coming off a clutch road victory over a tough Wharton bunch (31-30).
“Bellville was two touchdowns behind but came back and won against a really good Wharton team,” Sweeny coach Joseph Olguin said following his team’s spirited workout Tuesday. “Our kids know how important this game is and we all know it is not going to be easy going over there.”
In a district which fields only five teams, Wharton, Sweeny and the Brahmas were the clear-cut favorites to represent the district in the playoffs.
“With their victory over Wharton, they already have a heads up,” Olguin said. “And although they run the old slot-T offense, and run it extremely well, they showed they can also pass when they need to against Wharton.”
While the speedy Brahmas normally rely on five outstanding backs to pierce enemy defenses, senior signal caller Brady Zapalac has come through in the passing department when needed (37-79-4 for 615 yards, seven TDs).
“They can lull you to sleep with all those outstanding running backs they have and then, boom, hit you with a big pass when you least expect it,” Olguin said.
While Bellville only has half the passing yards of Sweeny junior quarterback Cody Erikson, the squad more than compensates with a solid running game.
“They have big, mobile linemen and a system their kids obviously buy into,” Olguin said. “They lost the bulk of their offense from last year but just reloaded this time around.”
Junior DeEddrick Graves (60-644, 10.73 per carry, eight TDs) can also catch the ball (8- 122 yards, four TDs). He also runs back kickoffs and does the punt returning chores for the Brahmas.
In his spare time, Graves plays defense for the talented Brahmas, who have outscored their opponents by a 290-94 count to date. Graves has also come up with a league-leading two interceptions on the year.
“He is a talented kid, no doubt, .and we need to keep our eye on him,” Olguin said. “But believe me, they have other weapons also.”
J.T. Marek (114-625 yards, eight TDs), junior Jacob Higginbotham (63-498, seven TDs) and sophomore Mac Briscoe (32-200, two TDs) have all contributed to the slot-T.
Olguin and the Bulldogs know all about the Bellville offensive “system” after having lost to the Brahmas by a 35-21 count last year.
“We know what we are up against,” Olguin said. “But our practices have been solid and I think the Bulldogs are up for the challenge.”
Sweeny has outscored its opponents by a 205-113 count to date, and goes into the skirmish with the Brahmas with senior running back Anthany Simmons (63-490 yards, 7.78 per carry, TD) while junior quarterback, Cody Erikson (72-372 yards, six TDs) to go along with his 1,250 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Senior Charlie Jones has added a greatly needed element to the Bulldog running game with his speed and uncanny moves, having stepped off 307 yards on 35 carries and three touchdowns.
“We have to be competitive on both the offensive and defensive lines to have a chance,” Olguin said. “Dillon Jackson (5-10, 215 sophomore tackle) might be the best we will see this year. He is so active and his motor never stops. We have to neutralize him and several others if we intend to move the football.”
Olguin was a bit disturbed his Bulldogs failed to score in the second half.
“We had several scoring opportunities to put the ball in the end zone but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot with silly penalties and other mistakes. We cannot do that against a team like Bellville,” he said.
The Bulldogs and Brahmas are meeting for the eighth time with Bellville, holding a 5-2 series lead.
SWEENY — Coming off a ho-hum 25-2 victory over Columbus this past week, the Sweeny Bulldogs now brace for an all important road trip to Bellville.
Sweeny (1-0, 5-2) and Bellville (2-0, 7-1) will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Brahmas Stadium.
The Brahmas are coming off a clutch road victory over a tough Wharton bunch (31-30).
“Bellville was two touchdowns behind but came back and won against a really good Wharton team,” Sweeny coach Joseph Olguin said following his team’s spirited workout Tuesday. “Our kids know how important this game is and we all know it is not going to be easy going over there.”
In a district which fields only five teams, Wharton, Sweeny and the Brahmas were the clear-cut favorites to represent the district in the playoffs.
“With their victory over Wharton, they already have a heads up,” Olguin said. “And although they run the old slot-T offense, and run it extremely well, they showed they can also pass when they need to against Wharton.”
While the speedy Brahmas normally rely on five outstanding backs to pierce enemy defenses, senior signal caller Brady Zapalac has come through in the passing department when needed (37-79-4 for 615 yards, seven TDs).
“They can lull you to sleep with all those outstanding running backs they have and then, boom, hit you with a big pass when you least expect it,” Olguin said.
While Bellville only has half the passing yards of Sweeny junior quarterback Cody Erikson, the squad more than compensates with a solid running game.
“They have big, mobile linemen and a system their kids obviously buy into,” Olguin said. “They lost the bulk of their offense from last year but just reloaded this time around.”
Junior DeEddrick Graves (60-644, 10.73 per carry, eight TDs) can also catch the ball (8- 122 yards, four TDs). He also runs back kickoffs and does the punt returning chores for the Brahmas.
In his spare time, Graves plays defense for the talented Brahmas, who have outscored their opponents by a 290-94 count to date. Graves has also come up with a league-leading two interceptions on the year.
“He is a talented kid, no doubt, .and we need to keep our eye on him,” Olguin said. “But believe me, they have other weapons also.”
J.T. Marek (114-625 yards, eight TDs), junior Jacob Higginbotham (63-498, seven TDs) and sophomore Mac Briscoe (32-200, two TDs) have all contributed to the slot-T.
Olguin and the Bulldogs know all about the Bellville offensive “system” after having lost to the Brahmas by a 35-21 count last year.
“We know what we are up against,” Olguin said. “But our practices have been solid and I think the Bulldogs are up for the challenge.”
Sweeny has outscored its opponents by a 205-113 count to date, and goes into the skirmish with the Brahmas with senior running back Anthany Simmons (63-490 yards, 7.78 per carry, TD) while junior quarterback, Cody Erikson (72-372 yards, six TDs) to go along with his 1,250 passing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Senior Charlie Jones has added a greatly needed element to the Bulldog running game with his speed and uncanny moves, having stepped off 307 yards on 35 carries and three touchdowns.
“We have to be competitive on both the offensive and defensive lines to have a chance,” Olguin said. “Dillon Jackson (5-10, 215 sophomore tackle) might be the best we will see this year. He is so active and his motor never stops. We have to neutralize him and several others if we intend to move the football.”
Olguin was a bit disturbed his Bulldogs failed to score in the second half.
“We had several scoring opportunities to put the ball in the end zone but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot with silly penalties and other mistakes. We cannot do that against a team like Bellville,” he said.
The Bulldogs and Brahmas are meeting for the eighth time with Bellville, holding a 5-2 series lead.