Scoop27
11-13-2014, 01:05 PM
By Joshua Cook joshua.cook@thefacts.com
SWEENY — Question marks, while good at the end of an inquisitive statement, are not what one wants to have entering the playoffs.
For the Sweeny Bulldogs (2-2, 6-4), questions are unfortunately at the forefront of their bidistrict match-up with the Caldwell Hornets (3-1, 6-4).
The game will be played on a neutral field in Waller, and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday
Sweeny, which emerged as the third-place finisher in District 12-4A Division II, committed 33 turnovers this season and is coming off a game during which the starting quarterback was pulled in the opening quarter.
While some questions have an answer, others do not. Such is the case for Sweeny coach Joseph Olguin.
The coach believes the miscues are near an end after a week of practice that emphasized hanging on to the ball.
“We stressed ball security this week, but we didn’t change our workouts any,” Olguin said. “The kids have to take it upon themselves to take care of the ball.”
As for the quarterback question, Olguin said he will not have an answer until kickoff Friday, as he opened up the position to competition this week between Cody Erikson and Dallas Blackstock.
Erikson started all 10 games this season, but was replaced by Blackstock in the opening quarter of the season finale against Wharton last week.
In relief, Blackstock completed 16-of-26 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
Although he was picked off twice, the quarterback almost brought the Bulldogs back into the game.
On the other hand, Erikson was one of the district’s best throwers this season, connecting on 104-of-180 passes for 1,396 yards with seven interceptions and 12 touchdowns. He also showed off his legs to the tune of 476 yards and eight scores on the ground.
While a starting quarterback will not be revealed until game time, each signal-caller is preparing to face the Hornets’ a stout defensive line, which promises to create problems for the Bulldogs in the trenches.
“They’re big up front, as big as we’ve played against this year,” Ogluin said.
Caldwell’s front line has anchored its defense this season, as the Hornets are allowing only 25.4 points per game, including two shutouts on the year.
But, while the Bulldogs seem to be at a disadvantage in size, they own the edge in the speed department.
According to Olguin, the Bulldogs are faster than the Hornets, which is a great advantage to have when operating in the spread offense as Sweeny does.
The Bulldogs’ speed on offense has the ability to break through Caldwell’s containment, especially at receiver.
Wide outs Clayton Gilbert and Blayne Bailey are talented and productive pass-catchers. Gilbert leads the team in receptions (37), yards (509) and touchdowns (five), with Bailey hot on his heels (30 catches, 310 yards, three scores).
Bailey is also coming off his best game of the season, as he had eight catches for 117 yards against Wharton last week.
However, Caldwell’s offense is equally as potent, scoring an average of 34.4 points per game.
The winning team will take on either Hamshire Fannett or La Marque in the area round of the 4A playoffs.
Joshua Cook is a sports writer for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0161.
SWEENY — Question marks, while good at the end of an inquisitive statement, are not what one wants to have entering the playoffs.
For the Sweeny Bulldogs (2-2, 6-4), questions are unfortunately at the forefront of their bidistrict match-up with the Caldwell Hornets (3-1, 6-4).
The game will be played on a neutral field in Waller, and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday
Sweeny, which emerged as the third-place finisher in District 12-4A Division II, committed 33 turnovers this season and is coming off a game during which the starting quarterback was pulled in the opening quarter.
While some questions have an answer, others do not. Such is the case for Sweeny coach Joseph Olguin.
The coach believes the miscues are near an end after a week of practice that emphasized hanging on to the ball.
“We stressed ball security this week, but we didn’t change our workouts any,” Olguin said. “The kids have to take it upon themselves to take care of the ball.”
As for the quarterback question, Olguin said he will not have an answer until kickoff Friday, as he opened up the position to competition this week between Cody Erikson and Dallas Blackstock.
Erikson started all 10 games this season, but was replaced by Blackstock in the opening quarter of the season finale against Wharton last week.
In relief, Blackstock completed 16-of-26 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
Although he was picked off twice, the quarterback almost brought the Bulldogs back into the game.
On the other hand, Erikson was one of the district’s best throwers this season, connecting on 104-of-180 passes for 1,396 yards with seven interceptions and 12 touchdowns. He also showed off his legs to the tune of 476 yards and eight scores on the ground.
While a starting quarterback will not be revealed until game time, each signal-caller is preparing to face the Hornets’ a stout defensive line, which promises to create problems for the Bulldogs in the trenches.
“They’re big up front, as big as we’ve played against this year,” Ogluin said.
Caldwell’s front line has anchored its defense this season, as the Hornets are allowing only 25.4 points per game, including two shutouts on the year.
But, while the Bulldogs seem to be at a disadvantage in size, they own the edge in the speed department.
According to Olguin, the Bulldogs are faster than the Hornets, which is a great advantage to have when operating in the spread offense as Sweeny does.
The Bulldogs’ speed on offense has the ability to break through Caldwell’s containment, especially at receiver.
Wide outs Clayton Gilbert and Blayne Bailey are talented and productive pass-catchers. Gilbert leads the team in receptions (37), yards (509) and touchdowns (five), with Bailey hot on his heels (30 catches, 310 yards, three scores).
Bailey is also coming off his best game of the season, as he had eight catches for 117 yards against Wharton last week.
However, Caldwell’s offense is equally as potent, scoring an average of 34.4 points per game.
The winning team will take on either Hamshire Fannett or La Marque in the area round of the 4A playoffs.
Joshua Cook is a sports writer for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0161.