MARLINFAN
12-05-2003, 09:54 AM
Marlin (9-4) vs. Bellville (13-0) 7:30 tonight, Kyle Field, College Station
Brice Cherry, Staff writer
Marlin's Bulldogs have had plenty of salt in their diets this season, having faced the likes of Burnet, Ennis and Newton. Now they'll try to take a bite of Bellville's Brahamas, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year.
Bellville has romped through the season with a spotless record and is coming off an impressive 56-19 victory over District 17-3A co-champion China Spring last week in the regional quarterfinals. The Brahmas are deep and talented on both sides of the ball — a fact Marlin coach Jerry Malone is well aware of.
"We've looked at quite a bit of film on them, and we feel like they're the same caliber football team they were last year," Malone said. "They've got a lot of returning starters back, just like us. We expect it to be a great football game, just like last year."
The word "great" doesn't do justice to the 2002 regional final meeting between the Bulldogs and Brahmas. To use ESPN terminology, try "instant classic." Bellville prevailed, 30-24, when Reese Grebe intercepted a pass by then-Marlin QB Thaddeus Freeman in the third overtime period.
This year's Bellville team is no less talented. The Brahmas boast a balanced offensive attack behind tailback Harold Runnels and quarterback Jess Buenger, who threw for 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns in last year's win.
But Bellville probably hasn't seen a defense as fierce as Marlin's, which has posted six shutouts this season, including a 21-0 blanking of La Grange last week.
The Bulldogs also have the revenge factor on their side. Malone said the players haven't forgotten last year's near-miss at all, and are using that defeat as motivation this time around.
"Most of these guys have said they've been waiting 365 days for this," the coach said.
"Last year, it was a hard-fought battle, but I believe we should have won," said offensive lineman Jermany Griffin. "I know they're good, but if we do what we have to do, hopefully we'll come out with the win. We're going to come out with the win."
Brice Cherry, Staff writer
Marlin's Bulldogs have had plenty of salt in their diets this season, having faced the likes of Burnet, Ennis and Newton. Now they'll try to take a bite of Bellville's Brahamas, the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year.
Bellville has romped through the season with a spotless record and is coming off an impressive 56-19 victory over District 17-3A co-champion China Spring last week in the regional quarterfinals. The Brahmas are deep and talented on both sides of the ball — a fact Marlin coach Jerry Malone is well aware of.
"We've looked at quite a bit of film on them, and we feel like they're the same caliber football team they were last year," Malone said. "They've got a lot of returning starters back, just like us. We expect it to be a great football game, just like last year."
The word "great" doesn't do justice to the 2002 regional final meeting between the Bulldogs and Brahmas. To use ESPN terminology, try "instant classic." Bellville prevailed, 30-24, when Reese Grebe intercepted a pass by then-Marlin QB Thaddeus Freeman in the third overtime period.
This year's Bellville team is no less talented. The Brahmas boast a balanced offensive attack behind tailback Harold Runnels and quarterback Jess Buenger, who threw for 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns in last year's win.
But Bellville probably hasn't seen a defense as fierce as Marlin's, which has posted six shutouts this season, including a 21-0 blanking of La Grange last week.
The Bulldogs also have the revenge factor on their side. Malone said the players haven't forgotten last year's near-miss at all, and are using that defeat as motivation this time around.
"Most of these guys have said they've been waiting 365 days for this," the coach said.
"Last year, it was a hard-fought battle, but I believe we should have won," said offensive lineman Jermany Griffin. "I know they're good, but if we do what we have to do, hopefully we'll come out with the win. We're going to come out with the win."