Scoop27
11-20-2014, 01:21 PM
By Joshua Cook joshua.cook@thefacts.com
SWEENY — There is nothing more that a coach can ask for than for his team to be playing at its best in the postseason.
While the Sweeny Bulldogs (7-4) are at the top of their game, they will face a known adversary Friday in the La Marque Cougars (10-1).
The Region III Class 4A D II area playoff game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Alvin Memorial Stadium.
The two squads met on Oct.3, with the Cougars claiming a 14-point victory, 43-29.
However, if the Bulldogs are confident in one thing heading into this area-round matchup, it’s that the second result will be much different.
“The first time we played them (La Marque), we didn’t adjust to their speed very well, so we’ve made some changes to our gameplan offensively and defensively, and we’ll see what happens,” Sweeny coach Joseph Olguin said. “I don’t think revenge factors into it all. It’s a playoff game, and it’s win or go home.”
In the first meeting between the two teams, Bulldog quarterback Cody Erikson turned in a memorable performance, as he completed 28 of his 38 attempts for 351 yards and three touchdowns.
While the quarterback was forced to exit last week’s game early due to injury, Olguin said the signal-caller is ready for action.
Erikson, who has thrown for 1,129 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions this season, is full of confidence as he awaits another shot at La Marque’s secondary.
But, the quarterback is not the only Bulldog ready for another shot, as senior wide receiver and defensive back Blayne Bailey is also eager to face the Cougars.
“We’re pretty confident, we’re feeling really good,” Bailey said. “They haven’t been playing as well as they were the first time we played.”
The receiver caught six passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns the first go-round and has been on a tear the last two games (16 catches, 126 yards, three TDs). On the season, Bailey has snared 38 passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns to go with a team-high four interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.
Bailey is running his routes, doing what is asked of him, Olguin said.
“And I think the offense has evolved to where we are comfortable with what we are doing,” he said.
In addition to Bailey, the Bulldogs also feature another stunning wideout in Clayton Gilbert (28 catches, 393 yards, five TDs on the season).
“It really does make it easier when you have receivers who can make their own plays,” Erikson said.
On the ground, the Bulldogs are led by tailbacks Anthany Simmons (608 rush yards, two TDs) and Charlie Jones (431 rush yards, seven TDs).
But the Bulldogs have a tough challenge awaiting them at Alvin Memorial Stadium.
La Marque has a two-headed rushing attack that is as prolific as any in the region. Daquan Jones has amassed 1,273 yards and 14 touchdowns while Ladarrian Ellis Jones has gained 921 yards on the ground to go with 11 scores.
Each member of the tandem gained more than 100 yards in the Oct. 3 meeting, while combining for four touchdowns.
The duo are joined by fellow tailback Alan Cooper (391 rush yards, six touchdowns) and quarterback Jalen Williams (six rushing scores) in the backfield.
As a team, the Cougars have rushed for 3,283 yards to go with 1,012 pass yards this season, for a total yardage amount of 4,295.
While Williams has found the end zone six times with his legs, he has routinely tortured defenses with his arm, throwing for 896 yards and 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Williams’ top target is receiver Demetrius James, who has caught 20 passes for 443 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
But the Bulldog defense is more than apt for the awaiting challenge of slowing down the high-scoring Cougar offense that is averaging 42.5 points per game.
Comparatively, Sweeny has tallied up 4,009 yards of total offense (2,390 rushing and 1,639 passing) while scoring an average of 28.8 points per game.
“We know that we can beat them,” Sweeny defensive end/tight end Phillip Higgins said. “We made a few mistakes that first game, but now that we have another chance, we’ll be able to beat them.”
The Bulldogs’ confidence has grown tremendously over the last week, stemming from a 32-27 victory over Caldwell in the opening round of the playoffs.
“We try to improve every day, we had a turnover late in the game that could’ve cost us big, and we missed three PATs that could’ve haunted us, but we finished the game and got the win,” Olguin said. “We’re in a better place because we’re still in the playoffs and not at home.”
SWEENY — There is nothing more that a coach can ask for than for his team to be playing at its best in the postseason.
While the Sweeny Bulldogs (7-4) are at the top of their game, they will face a known adversary Friday in the La Marque Cougars (10-1).
The Region III Class 4A D II area playoff game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Alvin Memorial Stadium.
The two squads met on Oct.3, with the Cougars claiming a 14-point victory, 43-29.
However, if the Bulldogs are confident in one thing heading into this area-round matchup, it’s that the second result will be much different.
“The first time we played them (La Marque), we didn’t adjust to their speed very well, so we’ve made some changes to our gameplan offensively and defensively, and we’ll see what happens,” Sweeny coach Joseph Olguin said. “I don’t think revenge factors into it all. It’s a playoff game, and it’s win or go home.”
In the first meeting between the two teams, Bulldog quarterback Cody Erikson turned in a memorable performance, as he completed 28 of his 38 attempts for 351 yards and three touchdowns.
While the quarterback was forced to exit last week’s game early due to injury, Olguin said the signal-caller is ready for action.
Erikson, who has thrown for 1,129 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions this season, is full of confidence as he awaits another shot at La Marque’s secondary.
But, the quarterback is not the only Bulldog ready for another shot, as senior wide receiver and defensive back Blayne Bailey is also eager to face the Cougars.
“We’re pretty confident, we’re feeling really good,” Bailey said. “They haven’t been playing as well as they were the first time we played.”
The receiver caught six passes for 66 yards and two touchdowns the first go-round and has been on a tear the last two games (16 catches, 126 yards, three TDs). On the season, Bailey has snared 38 passes for 421 yards and six touchdowns to go with a team-high four interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.
Bailey is running his routes, doing what is asked of him, Olguin said.
“And I think the offense has evolved to where we are comfortable with what we are doing,” he said.
In addition to Bailey, the Bulldogs also feature another stunning wideout in Clayton Gilbert (28 catches, 393 yards, five TDs on the season).
“It really does make it easier when you have receivers who can make their own plays,” Erikson said.
On the ground, the Bulldogs are led by tailbacks Anthany Simmons (608 rush yards, two TDs) and Charlie Jones (431 rush yards, seven TDs).
But the Bulldogs have a tough challenge awaiting them at Alvin Memorial Stadium.
La Marque has a two-headed rushing attack that is as prolific as any in the region. Daquan Jones has amassed 1,273 yards and 14 touchdowns while Ladarrian Ellis Jones has gained 921 yards on the ground to go with 11 scores.
Each member of the tandem gained more than 100 yards in the Oct. 3 meeting, while combining for four touchdowns.
The duo are joined by fellow tailback Alan Cooper (391 rush yards, six touchdowns) and quarterback Jalen Williams (six rushing scores) in the backfield.
As a team, the Cougars have rushed for 3,283 yards to go with 1,012 pass yards this season, for a total yardage amount of 4,295.
While Williams has found the end zone six times with his legs, he has routinely tortured defenses with his arm, throwing for 896 yards and 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Williams’ top target is receiver Demetrius James, who has caught 20 passes for 443 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
But the Bulldog defense is more than apt for the awaiting challenge of slowing down the high-scoring Cougar offense that is averaging 42.5 points per game.
Comparatively, Sweeny has tallied up 4,009 yards of total offense (2,390 rushing and 1,639 passing) while scoring an average of 28.8 points per game.
“We know that we can beat them,” Sweeny defensive end/tight end Phillip Higgins said. “We made a few mistakes that first game, but now that we have another chance, we’ll be able to beat them.”
The Bulldogs’ confidence has grown tremendously over the last week, stemming from a 32-27 victory over Caldwell in the opening round of the playoffs.
“We try to improve every day, we had a turnover late in the game that could’ve cost us big, and we missed three PATs that could’ve haunted us, but we finished the game and got the win,” Olguin said. “We’re in a better place because we’re still in the playoffs and not at home.”