Snyder_TigerFan
10-07-2005, 08:26 AM
Mustang Bowl to swirl with rivalry
By Jason Weddle / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 7, 2005
Football weather is finally here, and there is no better place to celebrate than Sweetwater, where one of the state's top games will kick off tonight at 7:30.
No. 10 Wylie heads to the Mustang Bowl to face No. 3 Sweetwater in a District 4-3A showdown. Make no mistake about it, the two schools are bitter rivals. But unlike most rivalries - including one that will be played in Dallas Saturday on the college level - this one doesn't descend into hatred.
''It's a good rivalry,'' Wylie coach Hugh Sandifer said. ''I think one of the things that makes it such a good rivalry is there's a lot of mutual respect between the schools, between the coaches and between the players, and I think that's always good for the atmosphere of a rivalry game.''
The Mustangs (6-0, 0-0) are led by a duo of headline-making junior halfbacks. Joseph Banyard and Skye Green lead a dominant Sweetwater running attack and have combined for 977 rushing yards.
Both backs average more than a first down each time they touch the ball as Green has averaged 12 yards per carry and Banyard even better at 13.35 yards per carry. Combined, the two have scored 24 touchdowns.
Through its six games, the Bulldogs - who haven't had a problem scoring - have 28 touchdowns, or just four more as a team than Green and Banyard.
''Those are just pretty incredible numbers,'' Sandifer said.
Knowing Sweetwater will rely heavily on its run, there is only one thing the Bulldogs' defense can do.
''You've got to try to slow them down if you can,'' Sandifer said. ''You've got to slow down some of those big plays, and that might be easier to talk about than to do on the field.''
In games such as these, a good offense can truly be the best defense. Time of possession will likely be the most telling statistic when tonight's game goes final.
While the Sweetwater offense will be primarily a ground-oriented attack, the Bulldogs feature a balanced offensive unit led by quarterback Case Keenum, a strong front four and Gary Edwards, Wylie's explosive utility back.
Having so many options is something that makes preparing for the Wylie offense difficult.
''It'd be easier if they were one-dimensional, but they're not,'' Sweetwater coach Kent Jackson said. ''It's like with Case, do want to try to stop him from running the ball or throwing the ball? He's hurt so many people in different ways that you can't just try to take away one thing.''
The Mustangs defense, also ripe with speed, is an aggressive unit that will put pressure on Keenum out of multiple formations, including a 3-4 and a 5-2. The Sweetwater defense has held opponents to just 11 points per contest this season, including two shutouts, but allowed a season-high 31 points in last week's win over Levelland.
Wylie also allowed a season-high 33 points in the Bulldogs' win over Decatur, which has many thinking tonight's game will be a shootout.
''Both teams had similar games last week where they outscored their opponent,'' Sandifer said. ''I imagine both team's defenses will be back on and play better football.''
If last season's matchup is any indication, the defenses will rise to the occasion. Wylie bettered the Mustangs 13-7, but doesn't have the home-field advantage this year.
''There's just something about the Mustang Bowl that gives us something extra,'' Sweetwater tackle Taylor Jones said.
Don't expect Wylie to be overwhelmed by the environment, however, as the Bulldogs have played in their fair share of big games over the last two season.
With all the storylines, the most dominant, and most important, is that the games finally start counting toward the post-season. And while both teams will likely have little problem making the playoffs despite the outcome of tonight's game, there is that excitement - and burden - of knowing that this game means far more than the previous six.
''You know it's gonna be a tough game, but you just go through it thinking that you're very fortunate to be a part of a deal like that,'' Jackson said. ''We'll get to be part of an atmosphere and a situation Friday night that a lot of kids never get to experience, period, whether they make the playoffs or not - but it's just another night in 4-3A for us.''
Football: Wylie at Sweetwater
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: The Mustang Bowl, Sweetwater
Records: Wylie 5-1, Sweetwater 6-0
On radio: KXHS 102.7 FM, KXOX 96.7 FM
Our Pick - Sweetwater: Wylie was the team of destiny last year, and it looks as though 2005 could be Sweetwater's year. The game could go either way, but playing in Sweetwater gives the Mustangs a slight edge.
By Jason Weddle / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 7, 2005
Football weather is finally here, and there is no better place to celebrate than Sweetwater, where one of the state's top games will kick off tonight at 7:30.
No. 10 Wylie heads to the Mustang Bowl to face No. 3 Sweetwater in a District 4-3A showdown. Make no mistake about it, the two schools are bitter rivals. But unlike most rivalries - including one that will be played in Dallas Saturday on the college level - this one doesn't descend into hatred.
''It's a good rivalry,'' Wylie coach Hugh Sandifer said. ''I think one of the things that makes it such a good rivalry is there's a lot of mutual respect between the schools, between the coaches and between the players, and I think that's always good for the atmosphere of a rivalry game.''
The Mustangs (6-0, 0-0) are led by a duo of headline-making junior halfbacks. Joseph Banyard and Skye Green lead a dominant Sweetwater running attack and have combined for 977 rushing yards.
Both backs average more than a first down each time they touch the ball as Green has averaged 12 yards per carry and Banyard even better at 13.35 yards per carry. Combined, the two have scored 24 touchdowns.
Through its six games, the Bulldogs - who haven't had a problem scoring - have 28 touchdowns, or just four more as a team than Green and Banyard.
''Those are just pretty incredible numbers,'' Sandifer said.
Knowing Sweetwater will rely heavily on its run, there is only one thing the Bulldogs' defense can do.
''You've got to try to slow them down if you can,'' Sandifer said. ''You've got to slow down some of those big plays, and that might be easier to talk about than to do on the field.''
In games such as these, a good offense can truly be the best defense. Time of possession will likely be the most telling statistic when tonight's game goes final.
While the Sweetwater offense will be primarily a ground-oriented attack, the Bulldogs feature a balanced offensive unit led by quarterback Case Keenum, a strong front four and Gary Edwards, Wylie's explosive utility back.
Having so many options is something that makes preparing for the Wylie offense difficult.
''It'd be easier if they were one-dimensional, but they're not,'' Sweetwater coach Kent Jackson said. ''It's like with Case, do want to try to stop him from running the ball or throwing the ball? He's hurt so many people in different ways that you can't just try to take away one thing.''
The Mustangs defense, also ripe with speed, is an aggressive unit that will put pressure on Keenum out of multiple formations, including a 3-4 and a 5-2. The Sweetwater defense has held opponents to just 11 points per contest this season, including two shutouts, but allowed a season-high 31 points in last week's win over Levelland.
Wylie also allowed a season-high 33 points in the Bulldogs' win over Decatur, which has many thinking tonight's game will be a shootout.
''Both teams had similar games last week where they outscored their opponent,'' Sandifer said. ''I imagine both team's defenses will be back on and play better football.''
If last season's matchup is any indication, the defenses will rise to the occasion. Wylie bettered the Mustangs 13-7, but doesn't have the home-field advantage this year.
''There's just something about the Mustang Bowl that gives us something extra,'' Sweetwater tackle Taylor Jones said.
Don't expect Wylie to be overwhelmed by the environment, however, as the Bulldogs have played in their fair share of big games over the last two season.
With all the storylines, the most dominant, and most important, is that the games finally start counting toward the post-season. And while both teams will likely have little problem making the playoffs despite the outcome of tonight's game, there is that excitement - and burden - of knowing that this game means far more than the previous six.
''You know it's gonna be a tough game, but you just go through it thinking that you're very fortunate to be a part of a deal like that,'' Jackson said. ''We'll get to be part of an atmosphere and a situation Friday night that a lot of kids never get to experience, period, whether they make the playoffs or not - but it's just another night in 4-3A for us.''
Football: Wylie at Sweetwater
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: The Mustang Bowl, Sweetwater
Records: Wylie 5-1, Sweetwater 6-0
On radio: KXHS 102.7 FM, KXOX 96.7 FM
Our Pick - Sweetwater: Wylie was the team of destiny last year, and it looks as though 2005 could be Sweetwater's year. The game could go either way, but playing in Sweetwater gives the Mustangs a slight edge.