Scoop27
10-07-2016, 12:57 PM
Still early in the District 12-4A Division race, the Brazosport Exporters take an important trip to El Campo today in hopes of coming home with an upset win.
El Campo (2-0, 6-0) sits atop the district standings and are ranked No. 12 in the Texas AP High School poll, so the Exporters (0-1, 1-4) will have an uphill battle against the Ricebirds starting at 7:30 p.m. at Ricebird Stadium.
"El Campo is a well-rooted program and has been for years," Brazosport coach Ben Rudolph said. "They are going to do the fundamental things correctly. They will block well, tackle well, and they are going to take care of the football.
"They've played playoff football for the past several years, so we po every time we play them."
The Ricebirds will count on a run game that has accumulated 1,781 yards, led by Nery Enriquez and Deaderick Holloway. Enriquez has run for 588 yards on 77 carries and nine touchdowns, while Holloway has racked up 416 yards and four scores.
Quarterback Brock Brandl has also got in the mix, rushing for 293 yards on 46 carries and four touchdowns, as has De'Andre Gibson, recording 220 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns.
Brandl has also thrown for 546 yards on 29 completions with six touchdowns and one interception.
"They are going to spread the wealth around, but I think they pass and catch better this year than in previous years," Rudolph said. "Brandl, the quarterback does a good job of getting the ball all over the place and his receivers are doing a nice job of getting open."
The Ricebird defense also presents a challenge, recovering 13 of 19 fumbles along with five interceptions.
This is the 35th meeting between both squads with the Ricebirds winning the last eight encounters including last year's (56-28) win. El Campo (22-12) also leads the all-time series, which started back in 1926, 22-12.
Brazosport's last win was in 2002 (21-14).
Coming off a tough 32-29 loss to Sealy in double overtime last week, Brazosport has tried to move on.
"I am so super proud of them and their effort to put us in position to win that game, which a lot of people in the state of Texas and this area gave us zero chance to win," Rudollph said. "So I thanked them for getting the program in that kind of position and giving us an opportunity to win against a high quality opponent like Sealy. That is a great conversation to be in.
"I looking at it as this is showing some growth in the program."
Brazosport sophomore quarterback Jermaine Ellis has thrown for 441 yards on 47-of-108 passing with five touchdowns and nine interceptions after stepping in for Jarvis Davis.
Davis — who was the starting quarterback coming into the 2016 campaign before a shoulder injury during a scrimmage put that on hold — has been sighted at practice the last couple of wee
"He's been cleared to throw, and we have been going through that protocol in the last couple wee getting his arm in football shape," Rudolph said. "We are going to stick to the doctor's orders and take the precautions we need to. We might get him in the game, but we are waiting on the doctor's clearance."
The Ships come into Friday's contest with the Ricebirds with junior running back Ameer King leading the district in rushing with 767 yards on 96 carries and nine touchdowns.
"We've had to turn the road quickly because the road doesn't get any easier, it will only get tougher," Rudolph said. "The kids have had a good week of practice and have attacked it like we've asked them to."
This football game will be broadcast on www.brazosportisd.net.
Joel Luna is the sports editor of The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0160.Â
El Campo (2-0, 6-0) sits atop the district standings and are ranked No. 12 in the Texas AP High School poll, so the Exporters (0-1, 1-4) will have an uphill battle against the Ricebirds starting at 7:30 p.m. at Ricebird Stadium.
"El Campo is a well-rooted program and has been for years," Brazosport coach Ben Rudolph said. "They are going to do the fundamental things correctly. They will block well, tackle well, and they are going to take care of the football.
"They've played playoff football for the past several years, so we po every time we play them."
The Ricebirds will count on a run game that has accumulated 1,781 yards, led by Nery Enriquez and Deaderick Holloway. Enriquez has run for 588 yards on 77 carries and nine touchdowns, while Holloway has racked up 416 yards and four scores.
Quarterback Brock Brandl has also got in the mix, rushing for 293 yards on 46 carries and four touchdowns, as has De'Andre Gibson, recording 220 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns.
Brandl has also thrown for 546 yards on 29 completions with six touchdowns and one interception.
"They are going to spread the wealth around, but I think they pass and catch better this year than in previous years," Rudolph said. "Brandl, the quarterback does a good job of getting the ball all over the place and his receivers are doing a nice job of getting open."
The Ricebird defense also presents a challenge, recovering 13 of 19 fumbles along with five interceptions.
This is the 35th meeting between both squads with the Ricebirds winning the last eight encounters including last year's (56-28) win. El Campo (22-12) also leads the all-time series, which started back in 1926, 22-12.
Brazosport's last win was in 2002 (21-14).
Coming off a tough 32-29 loss to Sealy in double overtime last week, Brazosport has tried to move on.
"I am so super proud of them and their effort to put us in position to win that game, which a lot of people in the state of Texas and this area gave us zero chance to win," Rudollph said. "So I thanked them for getting the program in that kind of position and giving us an opportunity to win against a high quality opponent like Sealy. That is a great conversation to be in.
"I looking at it as this is showing some growth in the program."
Brazosport sophomore quarterback Jermaine Ellis has thrown for 441 yards on 47-of-108 passing with five touchdowns and nine interceptions after stepping in for Jarvis Davis.
Davis — who was the starting quarterback coming into the 2016 campaign before a shoulder injury during a scrimmage put that on hold — has been sighted at practice the last couple of wee
"He's been cleared to throw, and we have been going through that protocol in the last couple wee getting his arm in football shape," Rudolph said. "We are going to stick to the doctor's orders and take the precautions we need to. We might get him in the game, but we are waiting on the doctor's clearance."
The Ships come into Friday's contest with the Ricebirds with junior running back Ameer King leading the district in rushing with 767 yards on 96 carries and nine touchdowns.
"We've had to turn the road quickly because the road doesn't get any easier, it will only get tougher," Rudolph said. "The kids have had a good week of practice and have attacked it like we've asked them to."
This football game will be broadcast on www.brazosportisd.net.
Joel Luna is the sports editor of The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0160.Â