Phantom Stang
11-16-2006, 04:05 PM
Sweetwater looks to ground Eagles
Written by Ben Barkley
The Sweetwater Mustangs know exactly what they have to do in order to move past the first round of the Class 3A, Division II playoffs.
That task is simple — beat the Argyle Eagles. But the task will mean the Mustangs will have to play its best game of the year. The two teams will open the playoffs Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville.
Head coach Kent Jackson knows his team — especially the defense will be tested in the opener. Argyle (7-3) is averaging 247 yards through the air. Last week during a 42-23 loss to Sanger, the Eagles attempted 56 passes while rushing the ball only eight times.
The Sweetwater defense will have to be on its toes against the Eagles — especially the secondary. The Mustangs are allowing 250 yards and 18 points per game.
“The best thing is the fact we are not walking into unfamiliar territory,” Jackson said of the Eagles’ spread offense. “We have played teams this year that have liked to spread things out.”
Sweetwater has intercepted eight passes this season with Thomas Holsey leading the way with three.
Joseph Banyard has two interceptions while Justin Rodriguez, Travis Wallace and Bryan Boyd each have one.
The defensive unit will have to continue to put pressure on quarterback J.J. Harp, who has completed 147-of-220 passes for 2,139 yards. He has thrown 19 touchdowns and only six interceptions.
Keifer Adamez leads the Mustangs in quarterback hurries with 10 this season while Justin Adames has seven. Several Mustangs have been listed on the hurries list throughout the season.
Rufus McCann leads the team with three sacks while Adamez, Jeffery Straley and Steven Fields each have two sacks.
Since the Big Spring game in September, the defense has stepped up and performed well each week.
“We continue to show improvement and I credit the (coaches) who work with those guys each day,” Jackson said. “They have found a way to stop teams. It is important for that to continue this week.”
Sweetwater will look to keep the Eagles off the field and has been successful during the season on stopping third down plays. Overall, the Mustangs have allowed only 33 percent of third down conversions to opponents.
To help combat the air attack, Jackson will rely on the offense and the running game, which is averaging 353 yards per game.
“Our ball control game is critical,” Jackson said. “When we get a chance to score — especially against a team that can score quick — we better not miss it.”
The ground game is a powerful punch of several runners — led by senior Joseph Banyard, who has rushed for 1,117 yards on 126 carries with 18 touchdowns.
Quarterback Duone Cunnings has added 896 yards on 121 totes with 10 carries while Skye Green has 708 yards on 70 carries with 14 scores.
Auston Davis has added to the punch, rushing for 472 yards on 62 carries.
Jackson said the play of the offensive line has been a key to the running game.
“Our attitude since week one, and that seems like such a long time ago, has been to get a little bit better each week,” Jackson said. “The kids have really come together. They have really answered the bell. I am especially proud of them.”
Argyle’s defense is led by free safety Cy Zimmerman, who has recorded 66 solo tackles and 25 assists. Linebacker Griffin Keller has 62 tackles and 49 assists to go along with three sacks.
Defensive end Ben Parks leads Argyle with five sacks while Strong safety Colby Husby has two interceptions this season.
The winner of the game will move into the second round of the playoffs to meet the winner of the Vernon-Perryton game.
Copyright © 2006 Sweetwater Reporter
Written by Ben Barkley
The Sweetwater Mustangs know exactly what they have to do in order to move past the first round of the Class 3A, Division II playoffs.
That task is simple — beat the Argyle Eagles. But the task will mean the Mustangs will have to play its best game of the year. The two teams will open the playoffs Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium in Stephenville.
Head coach Kent Jackson knows his team — especially the defense will be tested in the opener. Argyle (7-3) is averaging 247 yards through the air. Last week during a 42-23 loss to Sanger, the Eagles attempted 56 passes while rushing the ball only eight times.
The Sweetwater defense will have to be on its toes against the Eagles — especially the secondary. The Mustangs are allowing 250 yards and 18 points per game.
“The best thing is the fact we are not walking into unfamiliar territory,” Jackson said of the Eagles’ spread offense. “We have played teams this year that have liked to spread things out.”
Sweetwater has intercepted eight passes this season with Thomas Holsey leading the way with three.
Joseph Banyard has two interceptions while Justin Rodriguez, Travis Wallace and Bryan Boyd each have one.
The defensive unit will have to continue to put pressure on quarterback J.J. Harp, who has completed 147-of-220 passes for 2,139 yards. He has thrown 19 touchdowns and only six interceptions.
Keifer Adamez leads the Mustangs in quarterback hurries with 10 this season while Justin Adames has seven. Several Mustangs have been listed on the hurries list throughout the season.
Rufus McCann leads the team with three sacks while Adamez, Jeffery Straley and Steven Fields each have two sacks.
Since the Big Spring game in September, the defense has stepped up and performed well each week.
“We continue to show improvement and I credit the (coaches) who work with those guys each day,” Jackson said. “They have found a way to stop teams. It is important for that to continue this week.”
Sweetwater will look to keep the Eagles off the field and has been successful during the season on stopping third down plays. Overall, the Mustangs have allowed only 33 percent of third down conversions to opponents.
To help combat the air attack, Jackson will rely on the offense and the running game, which is averaging 353 yards per game.
“Our ball control game is critical,” Jackson said. “When we get a chance to score — especially against a team that can score quick — we better not miss it.”
The ground game is a powerful punch of several runners — led by senior Joseph Banyard, who has rushed for 1,117 yards on 126 carries with 18 touchdowns.
Quarterback Duone Cunnings has added 896 yards on 121 totes with 10 carries while Skye Green has 708 yards on 70 carries with 14 scores.
Auston Davis has added to the punch, rushing for 472 yards on 62 carries.
Jackson said the play of the offensive line has been a key to the running game.
“Our attitude since week one, and that seems like such a long time ago, has been to get a little bit better each week,” Jackson said. “The kids have really come together. They have really answered the bell. I am especially proud of them.”
Argyle’s defense is led by free safety Cy Zimmerman, who has recorded 66 solo tackles and 25 assists. Linebacker Griffin Keller has 62 tackles and 49 assists to go along with three sacks.
Defensive end Ben Parks leads Argyle with five sacks while Strong safety Colby Husby has two interceptions this season.
The winner of the game will move into the second round of the playoffs to meet the winner of the Vernon-Perryton game.
Copyright © 2006 Sweetwater Reporter