Scoop27
09-18-2015, 11:18 AM
Should be Columbia-Sweeny
By EVAN DUNBAR evan.dunbar@thefacts.com | 0 comments
SWEENY
For the 64th time, the Sweeny Bulldogs and Columbia Roughnecks will meet with Brazoria County bragging rights on the line in the Battle of San Bernard.
Columbia enters the 7:30 p.m. contest today at Bulldog Stadium with an undefeated record and some explosive offensive players.
Columbia (3-0) leads the all-time series, 33-29-1 and has won four of the last five, including a 16-6 decision last season, but don’t try to tell coach Randy Lynch how big of a favorite his team is.
“It’s one of those things where we’re just in such close proximity to each other and it’s family against family,” Lynch said. “It’s major talk at the plants and it’s one of those rivalries that’s been here for a while now and it’s always been a good game.
“I don’t care what the records are. I don’t care how good a team you are on paper. It’s one of those games where you can throw the records out the window and it’s always a competitive game.”
Injuries have plagued the Bulldogs (1-2) early in the season, most notably at running back, where starter Zedrick White is out with a broken leg.
Starting quarterback Evan Green has also battled ailments and missed most of the loss to Brazosport with an undisclosed injury.
Green did return for the Bulldog’s against Bay City last week, but they lost a back-and-forth battle, 35-27.
Green played well despite the loss, completing 13-of-26 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns — one to junior wide out Donovan Banks and two to senior Clayton Gilbert.
Gilbert had a huge game for Sweeny, catching seven passes for 108 yards with the two scores, while Banks also played well, hauling in four passes for 65 yards and the score.
On the ground, junior running back Malik Willer has continued to play well in place of the injured White. Willer led the Bulldogs on the ground with 127 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries. But the four other Bulldogs who recorded carries managed just 19 total yards.
The one area of major concern for Sweeny is the offensive line, as Green was sacked five times by Bay City last week, and also lost a fumble.
For Columbia, this matchup provides some stiffer competition after the Roughnecks trounced Houston Austin last week, 53-0.
”We’re going to probably take the air out of the ball a little bit and do what we do in the run game,” Lynch said. “Hopefully we can sustain some drives and play well on offense.”
The running game has been Columbia’s strong suit so far this season, with senior Dakarius Bell and junior Saylaion Dunlap leading the charge.
Bell scored two touchdowns last week and Dunlap added another as the two sat for most of the second half after Columbia was up by six touchdowns.
Lynch said senior quarterback/linebacker Hunter Grayson should be 100 percent for today’s game and will start on defense. Lynch said Grayson will also see some snaps under center, but junior Josh Jimenez and Dunlap will also take some snaps.
Grayson sat out Columbia’s Sept. 4 matchup with Liberty with an injury, but came back to play two series last week, scoring on a 26-yard touchdown run.
“He’s still a little sore, but he’s going to start on defense for us,” Lynch said. “I’m sure you’ll see him at some point during the game at quarterback, and Josh Jimenez will also play a lot.”
The Columbia defense allowed just 55 total yards to Austin, but Lynch said he knows the Sweeny offense will keep his defense on its toes with lots of speed at the skill positions.
“Sweeny is very explosive on offense,” Lynch said. “They’ve got some really good skill kids and their line is improving. We’re going to have to keep them in front of us because they are just so explosive.”
The game will be broadcast online starting at 7:15 p.m on www.legacysportsnetwork.com.
By EVAN DUNBAR evan.dunbar@thefacts.com | 0 comments
SWEENY
For the 64th time, the Sweeny Bulldogs and Columbia Roughnecks will meet with Brazoria County bragging rights on the line in the Battle of San Bernard.
Columbia enters the 7:30 p.m. contest today at Bulldog Stadium with an undefeated record and some explosive offensive players.
Columbia (3-0) leads the all-time series, 33-29-1 and has won four of the last five, including a 16-6 decision last season, but don’t try to tell coach Randy Lynch how big of a favorite his team is.
“It’s one of those things where we’re just in such close proximity to each other and it’s family against family,” Lynch said. “It’s major talk at the plants and it’s one of those rivalries that’s been here for a while now and it’s always been a good game.
“I don’t care what the records are. I don’t care how good a team you are on paper. It’s one of those games where you can throw the records out the window and it’s always a competitive game.”
Injuries have plagued the Bulldogs (1-2) early in the season, most notably at running back, where starter Zedrick White is out with a broken leg.
Starting quarterback Evan Green has also battled ailments and missed most of the loss to Brazosport with an undisclosed injury.
Green did return for the Bulldog’s against Bay City last week, but they lost a back-and-forth battle, 35-27.
Green played well despite the loss, completing 13-of-26 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns — one to junior wide out Donovan Banks and two to senior Clayton Gilbert.
Gilbert had a huge game for Sweeny, catching seven passes for 108 yards with the two scores, while Banks also played well, hauling in four passes for 65 yards and the score.
On the ground, junior running back Malik Willer has continued to play well in place of the injured White. Willer led the Bulldogs on the ground with 127 yards and a touchdown on just nine carries. But the four other Bulldogs who recorded carries managed just 19 total yards.
The one area of major concern for Sweeny is the offensive line, as Green was sacked five times by Bay City last week, and also lost a fumble.
For Columbia, this matchup provides some stiffer competition after the Roughnecks trounced Houston Austin last week, 53-0.
”We’re going to probably take the air out of the ball a little bit and do what we do in the run game,” Lynch said. “Hopefully we can sustain some drives and play well on offense.”
The running game has been Columbia’s strong suit so far this season, with senior Dakarius Bell and junior Saylaion Dunlap leading the charge.
Bell scored two touchdowns last week and Dunlap added another as the two sat for most of the second half after Columbia was up by six touchdowns.
Lynch said senior quarterback/linebacker Hunter Grayson should be 100 percent for today’s game and will start on defense. Lynch said Grayson will also see some snaps under center, but junior Josh Jimenez and Dunlap will also take some snaps.
Grayson sat out Columbia’s Sept. 4 matchup with Liberty with an injury, but came back to play two series last week, scoring on a 26-yard touchdown run.
“He’s still a little sore, but he’s going to start on defense for us,” Lynch said. “I’m sure you’ll see him at some point during the game at quarterback, and Josh Jimenez will also play a lot.”
The Columbia defense allowed just 55 total yards to Austin, but Lynch said he knows the Sweeny offense will keep his defense on its toes with lots of speed at the skill positions.
“Sweeny is very explosive on offense,” Lynch said. “They’ve got some really good skill kids and their line is improving. We’re going to have to keep them in front of us because they are just so explosive.”
The game will be broadcast online starting at 7:15 p.m on www.legacysportsnetwork.com.