Cuero And Ingleside Articles

[Buccaneer]

Red-hot Cuero cruising so far
Gobblers riding 11-game win streak

By JAVIER BECERRA Caller-Times
November 24, 2005


If Cuero really is playing its best football right now, there's no reason the Gobblers can't win the state championship that eluded them a year ago.

Ranked No. 1 at the end of the regular season, Cuero faces Ingleside on Friday in the Region IV-3A Division II semifinals at Matador Stadium in Seguin. Coming off a 49-7 victory over Llano, it appears all is well with the Gobblers.





"I think we're playing with some confidence," coach Mark Reeve said. "It certainly helps to have played 15 games last year. This year it's more about execution and concentration. The kids are real focused right now."

The 15th game last season was a 17-14 loss to Abilene Wylie in the Div. I state title game. Cuero has since won 11 straight, the most recent a sound second-round beating that took only the first half to accomplish.

The Gobblers led 42-0 at halftime and held a 457-27 edge in total yards. Averaging nearly 14 yards per snap, Cuero put the game far out of reach early and cruised to the win.

"After watching film, we were impressed," Ingleside coach Graig Hesseltine said. "They have a good ballclub and not a whole lot of weaknesses that you can pinpoint. Usually, there's at least one kid you try to attack, but they're solid all the way through. We're going to have to play extremely well and take our chances when we get them."

Cuero has played at a high level, despite returning only one starter on offense, tight end J.T. Rudd. That hasn't kept the Gobblers from exploiting opposing defenses with a balanced offensive attack.

Against Llano, quarterback Kyle Noack completed 11 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Fabian Olguin, meanwhile, finished with 11 carries for 168 yards and two scores.

Reeve said the success has a lot to do with a steadily improving offensive line.

"We're just trying to get better every single week," he said. "The thing that's happened here lately is the offensive line coming around. We've had more success on the ground than earlier in the season. Sometimes it takes you a while for the kids to come together on the offensive side of the ball. That's happening for us right now

[Buccaneer]

Moral win isn't good enough for Mustangs
Ingleside ready for No. 1 Cuero Friday

By JAVIER BECERRA Caller-Times
November 24, 2005


Given the situation, taking on the state's top ranked team in the third round of the playoffs might seem too demanding.

Ingleside doesn't think so.

The Mustangs meet Cuero on Friday night in a Region IV-3A Division II semifinal matchup at Seguin's Matador Stadium. Although the undefeated Gobblers finished the regular season No. 1 in the state poll, Ingleside coach Graig Hesseltine said the team is ready for the challenge.

"I think some teams at this point would say they've had a good season and if they get beat by a No. 1 who cares," he said. "It's a big game, but you don't want your kids to be intimidated. We're trying to convince them they can beat this team if they play well. We expect to come out ready to play."

The Mustangs did last week.

Sophomore quarterback Travis Chrisman torched Rio Hondo for 336 yards passing and four touchdowns in a 38-19 victory. Zach Adams caught three of those scoring strikes and finished with five catches for 152 yards, followed by Joel Johnson with four catches for 132 yards.

Since taking over the starting duties five games ago, Chrisman has increased his passing totals to 1,407 passing yards and 19 touchdowns. Hesseltine said the Mustangs don't plan on changing any part of the offense.

"Travis is really coming on and is getting better with each game," he said. "He makes some good decisions on the field and is throwing the ball really well. We feel like we have a chance to continue throwing successfully, even against a team as powerful as them."

Cuero coach Mark Reeve fully expects the Mustangs to take to the air.

"We know they're doing a really good job of throwing the ball right now," he said. "It looks like they've improved since they made the change at quarterback."

Ingleside's defense is also thriving.

Last week, the Mustangs forced four Rio Hondo turnovers, two fumbles and two interceptions. The Bobcats finished with nearly 500 total yards, but only three touchdowns for their effort.

"We have a kind of a bend-but-don't-break philosophy," Hesseltine said. "We've given up some yards and points at times, but we've played consistently. We're not going to totally dominate Cuero, so the plan is to take away a few plays here and there."

Hesseltine certainly thinks it's possible.

"It can be done," he said of Friday's task. "Every season a big team falls. If we can go out and do what we've been doing, who knows what might happen? Somewhere every Friday night there's an upset going on. I hope we're the ones this time."

[KingRob]

Why do they keep saying this a semi-finals game? Isn't this the qtr finals? Still two games to go after this one for state.

[Buccaneer]

It is the Regional Semi-Finals.

[gobbler grad]

here's another article in today's paper



Rising to the occasion


November 25, 2005

Cuero had to defend only four passes the entire game against Llano, but the Gobblers could see that many passes on Ingleside's first possession.

Cuero (11-0) will look to cut Ingleside (7-4) off at the pass in a Class 3A, Division II regional playoff game today at 7:30 p.m. at Matador Stadium in Seguin.

"They all seem like big games to us," Cuero coach Mark Reeve said. "We're not going to concentrate on one more than the other. Each team presents its own problems. That's what we have to concentrate on. Last week it was the rush and this week it's the pass."

The Gobblers have been preparing to face Ingleside quarterback Travis Chrisman, who has started only five games but has thrown for 1,407 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Chrisman completed 16 of 24 passes for 336 yards and four touchdowns in the Mustangs' 38-19 area playoff win over Rio Hondo. Wide receiver Zack Adams caught five passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns and Joel Johnson had four receptions for 132 yards.

"It seems like we've seen a different offense almost every week," Cuero defensive tackle Joey Adams said. "I think facing a new offense strengthens our defense as a whole. We proved we could stop the run and now we want to show we can stop the pass as well."

Llano's lone completion went for a 42-yard touchdown, but Cuero was leading 49-0 and had its starters on the sideline with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.

"We feel like we've got a good plan for the spread," Reeve said. "We're not real big on defense but we do have a lot of speed and that helps us with match-ups."

The Gobblers' first line of defense against Ingleside's passing attack will be a strong rush.

"We need to get pressure on the quarterback," Cuero's Adams said. "We have all the confidence in the world in our secondary. If we can get pressure on the quarterback, our secondary will be all right."

The Gobblers are not afraid to blitz and leave their defensive backs in man coverage.

"The most important part is our communication," cornerback Domingo Ruiz said. "We have to make sure we hear our calls, know who has who, and make sure everybody is covered. I think playing man-to-man is a good challenge. You play against their best receivers and see how good you are compared to them."

Cuero's offense was a devastating force against Llano, scoring on its first seven possessions. The Gobblers again showed great balance, passing for 270 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 269 yards and four touchdowns.

"We don't ever go into a game talking about running the ball so many times or passing so many times," Reeve said. "It's more of matter of how they are going to play us or what they are giving us. I don't see any difference as far as our game plan."

Cuero quarterback Kyle Noack has completed over 70 percent of his passes for 2,197 yards and 28 touchdowns, receivers Justin Wesley, Tre Gray, and Quincey Whittington have combined for 89 receptions for 1,697 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Fabian Olguin and Latrael Cooper have combined to rush for 1,702 yards and 21 touchdowns.

The Gobblers hope to add to those totals against an Ingleside defense that has yielded an average of 20.8 points per game.

"We have a saying around here that we want to labor on Labor Day and be able to give thanks on Thanksgiving," Reeve said. "We've been fortunate enough to do that the last two years."

NOTES: Cuero will be the home team but will wear its white jerseys...The game will be broadcast on KZAM, 104.7 FM and Web cast at www.lonestarfm.com...Whittington strained his knee against Llano but practiced Wednesday and is expected to play...Cuero senior Avery Sheppard, who punted, played wide receiver, and defensive back, has mononucleosis and his return is questionable...Ruiz handled the punting duties against Llano and will do so against Ingleside...Cuero and Ingleside last played in the 1995 regional playoffs and the Gobblers won 44-14...The Cuero-Ingleside winner will play the winner of the Liberty Hill-Devine game, which will be played Saturday at 2 p.m. at Comalander Stadium in San Antonio, in the quarterfinals.