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09-26-2006, 07:49 AM
La Grange defensive effort stuffs Apaches
LA GRANGE - Gonzales head coach Bruce Salmon encouraged his Apaches football team to keep their heads high and continue to have faith that things will eventually get better if they do not give up the fight.
Gonzales had to deal with some more adversity Friday in La Grange as the home team Leopards blanked the Apaches, 32-0, in displays of solid offense and defense.
The difficult task for Gonzales will be to look on the positive side of things as the season continues to roll on.
"That's going to be the challenge," Salmon said. "We need to find some successes from this game and begin to build off them.
"As quick as you fall and turn to the right, you just have to get that momentum going."
And already, things should be looking brighter for the Tribe already as they will now play at home for three consecutive weeks, commencing with Friday's Homecoming game against neighbors and rival Luling Eagles. Following Luling, GHS will host La Vernia and then Goliad.
Against La Grange, the Apaches struggled in most areas of the game.
"We're just not clicking right now," Salmon said. "There could be 100 reasons why we came up short, but ultimately it's just we're not clicking as a team."
He emphasized not dwelling on the game.
"The big thing is we have to get this one behind is," Salmon said. "We have to continue to build, look toward our future games and get some success.
"We also need to get some momentum going."
Both teams failed to put any points on the board during opening possessions.
The Leopards did manage to grab some good field position when Kyle Janada snapped an Apache pass and returned it inside the 30-yard line.
Hunter Callis drove to the 16 on first down and later capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
He also added the extra point to give La Grange a 7-0 lead with 4:46 to go in the quarter.
The Leopards' defense held GHS to eight yards on the next drive, forcing the punt. La Grange then drove 63 yards in a 13-play drive that devoured nearly five minutes off the clock.
Key play on the drive was Callis' 13-yard run to the 11 on fourth down after La Grange elected to continue the drive instead of settling for just three points. Bryn Janca scored on a 1-yard plunge to help give the home team a 14-0 advantage with 10:34 left in the first half.
Things got tougher for the Tribe as Callis picked off a Matt Holmes throw and returned it 17 yards for the score. Camron Thornton scored the two-point conversion for a 22-0 Leopards' lead.
La Grange got another break as Callis went for his second interception of the night.
However, La Grange slowed itself down on the drive with an intentional grounding call on quarterback Matt Wood after he tried to save face while being pressured by GHS linebacker Francisco Cortez and several other defenders
Eventually, Callis was good on a 22-yard field goal attempt with 4:49 left in the half.
To start the second half, the Leopards crossed midfield, but shot themselves in the foot as GHS took possession of a fumble at the 31.
After a 5-yard gain by running back Rockeem Collins, the drive stalled after a fumbled snap and a penalty.
La Grange drove the ball down to the Apaches' 44, but did not advance any more after the GHS defense forced a pair of incomplete passes.
The Apaches could not get out of the shadow of their own end zone and had to punt, putting the Leopards at their 30 after a 71-yard kick.
La Grange scored one last time, early in the fourth quarter, as Ryan Dockery hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Woods. Dockery broke a couple of tackles along the way.
The Apaches found some positives on offense during the next two possessions.
Curtis LaFleur, who joined Holmes and Ckody Burton in the game as one of the signal callers, gained 15 yards to the 35, picking up a first down.
Later, after stopping La Grange's offense, Collins gained 8 yards after a 2-yard advance by Burton to move the chains once more. Unfortunately, GHS was unable to penetrate the La Grange defense for a touchdown.
GHS had a rough night on offense as it was held to 36 yards rushing as Collins and LaFleur each rushed for 16 yards.
La Grange also held the Apaches to 2-for-13 passing for minus-two yards and four interceptions.
Callis led La Grange with 111 yards on 14 carries. He tallied 18 points in the game.
Woods was 10-for-23 with 108 yards and a touchdown.
The Apaches will be playing in front of the home crowd for the first time since the Sept. 2 opener against Rockdale as they are slated to play rival Luling at 7:30 Friday night
LA GRANGE - Gonzales head coach Bruce Salmon encouraged his Apaches football team to keep their heads high and continue to have faith that things will eventually get better if they do not give up the fight.
Gonzales had to deal with some more adversity Friday in La Grange as the home team Leopards blanked the Apaches, 32-0, in displays of solid offense and defense.
The difficult task for Gonzales will be to look on the positive side of things as the season continues to roll on.
"That's going to be the challenge," Salmon said. "We need to find some successes from this game and begin to build off them.
"As quick as you fall and turn to the right, you just have to get that momentum going."
And already, things should be looking brighter for the Tribe already as they will now play at home for three consecutive weeks, commencing with Friday's Homecoming game against neighbors and rival Luling Eagles. Following Luling, GHS will host La Vernia and then Goliad.
Against La Grange, the Apaches struggled in most areas of the game.
"We're just not clicking right now," Salmon said. "There could be 100 reasons why we came up short, but ultimately it's just we're not clicking as a team."
He emphasized not dwelling on the game.
"The big thing is we have to get this one behind is," Salmon said. "We have to continue to build, look toward our future games and get some success.
"We also need to get some momentum going."
Both teams failed to put any points on the board during opening possessions.
The Leopards did manage to grab some good field position when Kyle Janada snapped an Apache pass and returned it inside the 30-yard line.
Hunter Callis drove to the 16 on first down and later capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
He also added the extra point to give La Grange a 7-0 lead with 4:46 to go in the quarter.
The Leopards' defense held GHS to eight yards on the next drive, forcing the punt. La Grange then drove 63 yards in a 13-play drive that devoured nearly five minutes off the clock.
Key play on the drive was Callis' 13-yard run to the 11 on fourth down after La Grange elected to continue the drive instead of settling for just three points. Bryn Janca scored on a 1-yard plunge to help give the home team a 14-0 advantage with 10:34 left in the first half.
Things got tougher for the Tribe as Callis picked off a Matt Holmes throw and returned it 17 yards for the score. Camron Thornton scored the two-point conversion for a 22-0 Leopards' lead.
La Grange got another break as Callis went for his second interception of the night.
However, La Grange slowed itself down on the drive with an intentional grounding call on quarterback Matt Wood after he tried to save face while being pressured by GHS linebacker Francisco Cortez and several other defenders
Eventually, Callis was good on a 22-yard field goal attempt with 4:49 left in the half.
To start the second half, the Leopards crossed midfield, but shot themselves in the foot as GHS took possession of a fumble at the 31.
After a 5-yard gain by running back Rockeem Collins, the drive stalled after a fumbled snap and a penalty.
La Grange drove the ball down to the Apaches' 44, but did not advance any more after the GHS defense forced a pair of incomplete passes.
The Apaches could not get out of the shadow of their own end zone and had to punt, putting the Leopards at their 30 after a 71-yard kick.
La Grange scored one last time, early in the fourth quarter, as Ryan Dockery hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Woods. Dockery broke a couple of tackles along the way.
The Apaches found some positives on offense during the next two possessions.
Curtis LaFleur, who joined Holmes and Ckody Burton in the game as one of the signal callers, gained 15 yards to the 35, picking up a first down.
Later, after stopping La Grange's offense, Collins gained 8 yards after a 2-yard advance by Burton to move the chains once more. Unfortunately, GHS was unable to penetrate the La Grange defense for a touchdown.
GHS had a rough night on offense as it was held to 36 yards rushing as Collins and LaFleur each rushed for 16 yards.
La Grange also held the Apaches to 2-for-13 passing for minus-two yards and four interceptions.
Callis led La Grange with 111 yards on 14 carries. He tallied 18 points in the game.
Woods was 10-for-23 with 108 yards and a touchdown.
The Apaches will be playing in front of the home crowd for the first time since the Sept. 2 opener against Rockdale as they are slated to play rival Luling at 7:30 Friday night