Scoop27
10-24-2014, 11:12 AM
By JOEL LUNA
FREEPORT — Despite the proximity of both schools, Brazosport and Needville have never met on the gridiron. That changes today when the Bluejays come into Hopper Field for a 7:30 p.m. matchup.
Still early in District 12-4A Division I play, Brazosport (1-1, 2-5) and Needville (0-2, 2-5) still have something to play for. The Exporters are coming off a 41-28 win against Bay City, while the Bluejays lost a wild one at home against Columbia (49-38).
“Needville played Columbia in a very competitive football game and they have some good players on their team,” Brazosport coach Ben Rudolph said. “We’ve watched a bunch of film on them. They were up 24-7 at one point and that is a good eye-opener for our kids to understand that coming off a big win against Bay City, we can’t rest on that.”
With more than 400 yards of offense against the Blackcats, Brazosport marked the first time this season its offense has generated such yardage. Rudolph is hoping that trend continues.
“That has been our theme these last two weeks, which is to play hungry and with a desire,” he said. “But we need to clean up our mistakes and quit shootiing our own foot. The kids know and understand the magnitude of a win tomorrow, there is a lot on the line and a lot to be said for us putting ourselves in that position. That is what our intent is.”
The Exporters go up against Needville averaging 250 yards of offense a game, while the Bluejays are averaging 308.7 yards a contest. Nathan Lewis (74-420 yards, 5.68 a carry, five TDs), Navontae Darthard (88-365, 4.15 per carry, three TDs), Jeremiah Credit (47-320, 6.81 per carry, three TDs) and Ameer King (22-300, 13.64 per carry, two TDs) will continue to be keys for the Exporters and their running game.
Brazosport has to watch out for fumbles. The Ships have had 35 this season, losing 15 of them.
Needville will count on Dedrick Ketchum (158-831, 5.26 yards per carry, eight TDs) and Logan Archer (87-233, 2.68 per carry, three TDs) who will carry the load. The sophomore Archer (52-109-7, 930 passing yards, seven TDs) will mainly throw to Mason Wheeler (19-442, 23.26 per catch, five TDs) and Jordan Harris (13-234, 18 yards per catch, TD).
The Bluejays have also fumbled the ball 24 times, losing only five of them to the opposition.
“For us it is always going to be ball security,” Ruoldph said. “If we can hang onto the football and tackle well, I believe we will be in the game.”
After this week, the Exporters have a trip to El Campo then will finish up the regular season at home against Stafford.
Today’s game will be broadcast on www.brazosportisd.net.
FREEPORT — Despite the proximity of both schools, Brazosport and Needville have never met on the gridiron. That changes today when the Bluejays come into Hopper Field for a 7:30 p.m. matchup.
Still early in District 12-4A Division I play, Brazosport (1-1, 2-5) and Needville (0-2, 2-5) still have something to play for. The Exporters are coming off a 41-28 win against Bay City, while the Bluejays lost a wild one at home against Columbia (49-38).
“Needville played Columbia in a very competitive football game and they have some good players on their team,” Brazosport coach Ben Rudolph said. “We’ve watched a bunch of film on them. They were up 24-7 at one point and that is a good eye-opener for our kids to understand that coming off a big win against Bay City, we can’t rest on that.”
With more than 400 yards of offense against the Blackcats, Brazosport marked the first time this season its offense has generated such yardage. Rudolph is hoping that trend continues.
“That has been our theme these last two weeks, which is to play hungry and with a desire,” he said. “But we need to clean up our mistakes and quit shootiing our own foot. The kids know and understand the magnitude of a win tomorrow, there is a lot on the line and a lot to be said for us putting ourselves in that position. That is what our intent is.”
The Exporters go up against Needville averaging 250 yards of offense a game, while the Bluejays are averaging 308.7 yards a contest. Nathan Lewis (74-420 yards, 5.68 a carry, five TDs), Navontae Darthard (88-365, 4.15 per carry, three TDs), Jeremiah Credit (47-320, 6.81 per carry, three TDs) and Ameer King (22-300, 13.64 per carry, two TDs) will continue to be keys for the Exporters and their running game.
Brazosport has to watch out for fumbles. The Ships have had 35 this season, losing 15 of them.
Needville will count on Dedrick Ketchum (158-831, 5.26 yards per carry, eight TDs) and Logan Archer (87-233, 2.68 per carry, three TDs) who will carry the load. The sophomore Archer (52-109-7, 930 passing yards, seven TDs) will mainly throw to Mason Wheeler (19-442, 23.26 per catch, five TDs) and Jordan Harris (13-234, 18 yards per catch, TD).
The Bluejays have also fumbled the ball 24 times, losing only five of them to the opposition.
“For us it is always going to be ball security,” Ruoldph said. “If we can hang onto the football and tackle well, I believe we will be in the game.”
After this week, the Exporters have a trip to El Campo then will finish up the regular season at home against Stafford.
Today’s game will be broadcast on www.brazosportisd.net.