Gobbla2001
10-24-2003, 09:25 AM
October 24, 2003
MIKE FORMAN
Advocate Sports Writer
A lot of numbers come into play when looking at the matchup between Hallettsville and Cuero.
Cuero defensive back Nick Taylor faces a tough challenge tonight from Hallettsville's potent passing attack.
The Brahmas (6-1) lead District 27-3A in team offense, scoring offense and scoring defense and feature the district leaders in passing, receiving, kickoff returns and the second-leading rusher.
The Gobblers (6-1) are second in the district in team offense and third in team defense and feature the district leaders in scoring, punt returns and punting, the third- and fifth-leading rushers along with the district's highest-percentage passer.
But the only numbers that really matter are the 2-0 district records the teams will take into today's 7:30 p.m. game at Cuero's Gobbler Stadium.
The winner will all but clinch a playoff berth and set itself up to make a run for the district championship.
"Our kids our extremely hungry," said Hallettsville coach Kyle Taylor, whose team is seeking its first district title since 1991. "It's been a while since we've played in such a big game. This is our best shot in a while." "It just seems like every week is a big game for us," added Cuero coach Mark Reeve, whose team is coming off a 28-21 win over Yoakum. "That kind of makes it nice."
The game would appear to pit quarterback Garett Manning (1,395 passing yards and 16 touchdowns), wide receiver Ahmad Rasheed (31 catches for 675 yards and 10 touchdowns) and Hallettsville's explosive passing attack against a potent Cuero running game sparked by Latrael Cooper (585 yards and 13 touchdowns) and Zach Gomez (566 yards and nine touchdowns).
But Hallettsville running back Parris Brown (634 yards and three touchdowns) has rushed for more yards than either Cuero back, while Cuero quarterback Matt Schumacher has completed 65.8 percent of his passes.
"I'd say we're similar in ways and we're not similar in ways," Reeve stated. "Both of us are not one-dimensional. We're complete football teams. We both have athletes and have a pretty good idea of how to use them. The difference is in the style of play. They run extremely well, but they're looking to throw. While we use the run to set up the pass, they use the pass to set up the run."
Taylor has cautioned his players about getting overly emotional so they don't fall in an early hole. "We want to keep level heads so we're not blowing this out of proportion," Taylor said. "They're just dominating, especially early in the ballgame. We have to stay in the ballgame early and we can't make mistakes."
Reeve knows his defense will be tested, especially after yielding 248 passing yards to Yoakum.
"He (Manning) is one of the best quarterbacks I've seen. He's the real deal," Reeve said. "He's their biggest threat, but their receivers can all play. We want to do a variety of things up front and in the secondary. We have to keep from getting into a situation where they can just hone in on one thing."
While the Gobblers are focused on winning their third straight over Hallettsville, the Brahmas are looking for a repeat of 1991 when they came to Gobbler Stadium and captured a 22-20 decision, their last win over Cuero.
"All we had to do to get their attention was to show them the tapes," Reeve said. "We've had a great week of practice and last week was a good lesson for us to get ready for this game."
"We've always played well against Cuero," Taylor said. "We've just never played them in a long while with so much on the line."
NOTES: Taylor said wide receiver Josh Perez tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after catching a pass last week against Gonzales. He will miss the game and his status will be re-evaluated next week...Reeve said running back/defensive back Duwone Williams will miss his second straight game with an ankle sprain he suffered against Edna...Cuero owns an 11-4 edge in the series and has won seven of the last eight games...The game will be broadcast on KHLT, 99.9 FM.
MIKE FORMAN
Advocate Sports Writer
A lot of numbers come into play when looking at the matchup between Hallettsville and Cuero.
Cuero defensive back Nick Taylor faces a tough challenge tonight from Hallettsville's potent passing attack.
The Brahmas (6-1) lead District 27-3A in team offense, scoring offense and scoring defense and feature the district leaders in passing, receiving, kickoff returns and the second-leading rusher.
The Gobblers (6-1) are second in the district in team offense and third in team defense and feature the district leaders in scoring, punt returns and punting, the third- and fifth-leading rushers along with the district's highest-percentage passer.
But the only numbers that really matter are the 2-0 district records the teams will take into today's 7:30 p.m. game at Cuero's Gobbler Stadium.
The winner will all but clinch a playoff berth and set itself up to make a run for the district championship.
"Our kids our extremely hungry," said Hallettsville coach Kyle Taylor, whose team is seeking its first district title since 1991. "It's been a while since we've played in such a big game. This is our best shot in a while." "It just seems like every week is a big game for us," added Cuero coach Mark Reeve, whose team is coming off a 28-21 win over Yoakum. "That kind of makes it nice."
The game would appear to pit quarterback Garett Manning (1,395 passing yards and 16 touchdowns), wide receiver Ahmad Rasheed (31 catches for 675 yards and 10 touchdowns) and Hallettsville's explosive passing attack against a potent Cuero running game sparked by Latrael Cooper (585 yards and 13 touchdowns) and Zach Gomez (566 yards and nine touchdowns).
But Hallettsville running back Parris Brown (634 yards and three touchdowns) has rushed for more yards than either Cuero back, while Cuero quarterback Matt Schumacher has completed 65.8 percent of his passes.
"I'd say we're similar in ways and we're not similar in ways," Reeve stated. "Both of us are not one-dimensional. We're complete football teams. We both have athletes and have a pretty good idea of how to use them. The difference is in the style of play. They run extremely well, but they're looking to throw. While we use the run to set up the pass, they use the pass to set up the run."
Taylor has cautioned his players about getting overly emotional so they don't fall in an early hole. "We want to keep level heads so we're not blowing this out of proportion," Taylor said. "They're just dominating, especially early in the ballgame. We have to stay in the ballgame early and we can't make mistakes."
Reeve knows his defense will be tested, especially after yielding 248 passing yards to Yoakum.
"He (Manning) is one of the best quarterbacks I've seen. He's the real deal," Reeve said. "He's their biggest threat, but their receivers can all play. We want to do a variety of things up front and in the secondary. We have to keep from getting into a situation where they can just hone in on one thing."
While the Gobblers are focused on winning their third straight over Hallettsville, the Brahmas are looking for a repeat of 1991 when they came to Gobbler Stadium and captured a 22-20 decision, their last win over Cuero.
"All we had to do to get their attention was to show them the tapes," Reeve said. "We've had a great week of practice and last week was a good lesson for us to get ready for this game."
"We've always played well against Cuero," Taylor said. "We've just never played them in a long while with so much on the line."
NOTES: Taylor said wide receiver Josh Perez tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee after catching a pass last week against Gonzales. He will miss the game and his status will be re-evaluated next week...Reeve said running back/defensive back Duwone Williams will miss his second straight game with an ankle sprain he suffered against Edna...Cuero owns an 11-4 edge in the series and has won seven of the last eight games...The game will be broadcast on KHLT, 99.9 FM.