Scoop27
10-31-2014, 09:43 AM
By Joshua Cook joshua.cook@thefacts.com
SWEENY — The Sweeny Bulldogs do not take any opponent lightly, but the Brookshire Royal Falcons appear to be in over their heads.
While the Bulldogs (1-1, 5-3) will have the homefield advantage for tomorrow’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff, the Falcons (0-2, 0-8) are hungry for their first win of the season.
Although the Falcons appear to be over-matched on paper, Sweeny coach Joseph Olguin is focusing on the task at hand rather than looking ahead.
“We’ve prepared just like we have for any other opponent this season,” the first-year coach said.
He added emphasis on the importance of not only winning the game, but doing so in a fashion that is true to the team’s nature.
“At this point in the season, we have to build up some momentum for a playoff run,” Olguin said.
Not only does Sweeny possess District 12-4A’s top offense—averaging 372.9 yards per game—but the Falcons have not scored a single point in three weeks, as they are coming off a trio of shutout losses—a 56-0 defeat at the hands to Wharton, a 49-0 shellacking against Bellville and a 48-0 loss to Liberty.
However, Sweeny is coming off a shutout loss of its own after falling to Bellville, 31-0, last week. The Bulldogs do have plenty of weapons at their disposal in order to get back on track against the winless Falcons.
Junior quarterback Cody Erikson, who was benched at halftime of last week’s loss is the district’s top passer this season, accounting for 1,289 yards through the air to go with 10 scoring tosses.
In addition to his arm, Erikson has also shown a knack for making plays with legs, rushing for 373 yards and six touchdowns so far this season. His top target is fellow junior Clayton Giblert, who leads the team with 459 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
On the ground, the Bulldogs were without the services of senior Anthany Simmons and his 490 rushing yards. No word if Simmons is a go today. Charlie Jones has picked up the slack by churning out 303 yards and five scores on the ground.
However, a high-powered offense is not the only thing the Bulldogs will bring into Brookshire tomorrow night, for they also post an outstanding defense.
Sweeny’s defense is the district’s second most stingy group, allowing just 220.5 yards per game—Bellville holds the top slot at 205 yards per contest.
Blayne Bailey is a key component to the Bulldogs’ defensive side, as the senior is tied for the league lead in interceptions with two.
The Falcons have averaged just a fraction over 10 points per game this season—82 points in eight contests—and are led by junior Shawn Roberts.
Roberts has scrambled for 612 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and has also thrown for 169 yards on a 12-for-34 clip with two picks.
Sophomore Connor Ackley leads the Falcons passing attack this season with 382 yards and three touchdowns, but has also thrown five interceptions.
Overall, Sweeny and Royal have had eight prior meetings, with the Bulldogs claiming a 5-3 advantage, which includes a 35-14 decision in the most recent contest in 2011.
Joshua Cook is a sports writer for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0161.
SWEENY — The Sweeny Bulldogs do not take any opponent lightly, but the Brookshire Royal Falcons appear to be in over their heads.
While the Bulldogs (1-1, 5-3) will have the homefield advantage for tomorrow’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff, the Falcons (0-2, 0-8) are hungry for their first win of the season.
Although the Falcons appear to be over-matched on paper, Sweeny coach Joseph Olguin is focusing on the task at hand rather than looking ahead.
“We’ve prepared just like we have for any other opponent this season,” the first-year coach said.
He added emphasis on the importance of not only winning the game, but doing so in a fashion that is true to the team’s nature.
“At this point in the season, we have to build up some momentum for a playoff run,” Olguin said.
Not only does Sweeny possess District 12-4A’s top offense—averaging 372.9 yards per game—but the Falcons have not scored a single point in three weeks, as they are coming off a trio of shutout losses—a 56-0 defeat at the hands to Wharton, a 49-0 shellacking against Bellville and a 48-0 loss to Liberty.
However, Sweeny is coming off a shutout loss of its own after falling to Bellville, 31-0, last week. The Bulldogs do have plenty of weapons at their disposal in order to get back on track against the winless Falcons.
Junior quarterback Cody Erikson, who was benched at halftime of last week’s loss is the district’s top passer this season, accounting for 1,289 yards through the air to go with 10 scoring tosses.
In addition to his arm, Erikson has also shown a knack for making plays with legs, rushing for 373 yards and six touchdowns so far this season. His top target is fellow junior Clayton Giblert, who leads the team with 459 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
On the ground, the Bulldogs were without the services of senior Anthany Simmons and his 490 rushing yards. No word if Simmons is a go today. Charlie Jones has picked up the slack by churning out 303 yards and five scores on the ground.
However, a high-powered offense is not the only thing the Bulldogs will bring into Brookshire tomorrow night, for they also post an outstanding defense.
Sweeny’s defense is the district’s second most stingy group, allowing just 220.5 yards per game—Bellville holds the top slot at 205 yards per contest.
Blayne Bailey is a key component to the Bulldogs’ defensive side, as the senior is tied for the league lead in interceptions with two.
The Falcons have averaged just a fraction over 10 points per game this season—82 points in eight contests—and are led by junior Shawn Roberts.
Roberts has scrambled for 612 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and has also thrown for 169 yards on a 12-for-34 clip with two picks.
Sophomore Connor Ackley leads the Falcons passing attack this season with 382 yards and three touchdowns, but has also thrown five interceptions.
Overall, Sweeny and Royal have had eight prior meetings, with the Bulldogs claiming a 5-3 advantage, which includes a 35-14 decision in the most recent contest in 2011.
Joshua Cook is a sports writer for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0161.