Scoop27
10-06-2016, 11:33 AM
SWEENY — After an up and down nondistrict schedule, the Sweeny Bulldogs feel as if they hit the reset button after their recent bye week.
Sweeny's had a chance to regroup and get healthier as they prepare to open District 15-4A Division II play against the No. 4 Cuero Gobblers at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bulldog Stadium.
“We’ve been getting healed up and we’ve gotten back to the fundamentals a little bit,” Sweeny coach Randy Lynch said. “We are going back to work and clean up some things as we start district play. I told the kids that everyone is 0-0 right now and the race to play an extra week is now on — that’s what we’re looking at.”
The Bulldogs (3-2) have some momentum right now, winning two games in a row before the bye week, but draw the Gobblers (5-0) — who are ranked No. 4 in this week’s 4A Texas AP poll — right out of the gate.
Cuero has put forth the numbers to back that ranking up to this point, averaging 44 points and 375 yards per game on offense.
They are led by running backs Grant Keiran, Bralen Taylor and Tre Miles with Keiran leading the team with 425 yards on 53 carries and six touchdowns. Taylor and Miles have run for a combined 520 yards and nine end zone visits.
With solid offensive numbers, it’s the defense which has left the biggest impression to opponents.
In five games the Gobblers have allowed just 14 points all season with three shutouts.
They have also forced seven turnovers on the year, led by sophomore free safety Jordan Whittington, who has two of the team’s six interceptions this year.
On top of that, they are an experienced team qualifying for the state semifinals a year ago where they fell to West Orange-Stark, 41-28
“Cuero is as good as advertised and deserves their ranking,” Lynch said. “They’re a top-five team and we knew that coming in. They made the semifinals and they have a lot of those kids back. Coach (Travis) Reeve and them do a great job over there. They’re talented and physical.
“We’re at home and our kids like playing at home, so hopefully we’ll come out, execute and play well," he continued.
The good news for Sweeny is that their offense has found its spark as of late, thanks to senior running back Donovan Banks, who leads the team with 414 yards rushing and 210 more receiving for five touchdowns.
That has taken a bit of pressure off senior quarterback Evan Green, who has passed for 343 yards on 20-of-54 passing with two touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also rushed for 329 yards and four touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the defense has forced 12 turnovers this season — nine in the last two games — and have allowed just 12 points per game this season.
“It’s one of those things where we changed some personnel at the skill positions,” Lynch said. “We moved Donovan Banks to tail back and that has helped us offensively and defensively our kids have played well all year long.
“Friday will be a challenge but our kids are up to the challenge and we’re going play no matter what.”
This is the first meeting since 2005 when Cuero beat Sweeny in the bidistrict round of the playoffs taking a 34-12 win. Cuero leads the short series 2-1.
Sweeny's had a chance to regroup and get healthier as they prepare to open District 15-4A Division II play against the No. 4 Cuero Gobblers at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bulldog Stadium.
“We’ve been getting healed up and we’ve gotten back to the fundamentals a little bit,” Sweeny coach Randy Lynch said. “We are going back to work and clean up some things as we start district play. I told the kids that everyone is 0-0 right now and the race to play an extra week is now on — that’s what we’re looking at.”
The Bulldogs (3-2) have some momentum right now, winning two games in a row before the bye week, but draw the Gobblers (5-0) — who are ranked No. 4 in this week’s 4A Texas AP poll — right out of the gate.
Cuero has put forth the numbers to back that ranking up to this point, averaging 44 points and 375 yards per game on offense.
They are led by running backs Grant Keiran, Bralen Taylor and Tre Miles with Keiran leading the team with 425 yards on 53 carries and six touchdowns. Taylor and Miles have run for a combined 520 yards and nine end zone visits.
With solid offensive numbers, it’s the defense which has left the biggest impression to opponents.
In five games the Gobblers have allowed just 14 points all season with three shutouts.
They have also forced seven turnovers on the year, led by sophomore free safety Jordan Whittington, who has two of the team’s six interceptions this year.
On top of that, they are an experienced team qualifying for the state semifinals a year ago where they fell to West Orange-Stark, 41-28
“Cuero is as good as advertised and deserves their ranking,” Lynch said. “They’re a top-five team and we knew that coming in. They made the semifinals and they have a lot of those kids back. Coach (Travis) Reeve and them do a great job over there. They’re talented and physical.
“We’re at home and our kids like playing at home, so hopefully we’ll come out, execute and play well," he continued.
The good news for Sweeny is that their offense has found its spark as of late, thanks to senior running back Donovan Banks, who leads the team with 414 yards rushing and 210 more receiving for five touchdowns.
That has taken a bit of pressure off senior quarterback Evan Green, who has passed for 343 yards on 20-of-54 passing with two touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also rushed for 329 yards and four touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the defense has forced 12 turnovers this season — nine in the last two games — and have allowed just 12 points per game this season.
“It’s one of those things where we changed some personnel at the skill positions,” Lynch said. “We moved Donovan Banks to tail back and that has helped us offensively and defensively our kids have played well all year long.
“Friday will be a challenge but our kids are up to the challenge and we’re going play no matter what.”
This is the first meeting since 2005 when Cuero beat Sweeny in the bidistrict round of the playoffs taking a 34-12 win. Cuero leads the short series 2-1.