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11-23-2006, 08:09 PM
Business as usual for Class 3A teams
Orange Grove, Ingleside prep for second round despite distractions
By JAVIER BECERRA Caller-Times
November 23, 2006
It's been four years since Orange Grove had to prepare for a second-round playoff game.
Despite the distractions that come with practicing during the Thanksgiving holiday, it's business as usual for the Bulldogs.
"We're trying to keep the same routine we have all season," said coach Brent Kornegay, whose team takes on Port Isabel on Friday in a Class 3A Division II area matchup at Alice's Memorial Stadium.
"The kids understand what's going on and do the necessary things to get ready," he said. "I've been pleased with the way they've handled themselves."
That work ethic resulted in a 42-14 bi-district romp over Yoakum last week. Orange Grove (10-1) built a 21-7 halftime lead and went on to outscore Yoakum 21-7 in the second half.
Running back Israel Ochoa led Orange Grove with 116 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Oscar Rodriguez, the team's leading rusher, chipped in 75, followed by Jose Martinez with 22 and Jonathan Rodriguez with 14.
Quarterback Paul Duarte completed 10 passes to seven different receivers - four of those for touchdowns - further indication of Orange Grove's versatility.
"We have a lot of playmakers," Kornegay said. "It's odd because you never know from week to week who's going to be the guy that really shines."
It happened to be Ochoa last week.
Along with rushing for a touchdown, he also hauled in an 8-yard scoring pass from Duarte and returned a fourth-quarter interception 52 yards for the game's final points. In addition to his exploits on offense, Ochoa finished with two picks and a tackle and returned a kickoff 20 yards.
"The kids impress me every week," Kornegay said. "They make plays when they have to make plays and they find a way to win."
INGLESIDE VS. LA FERIA
If Ingleside (10-1) has any intention of advancing another round in the 3A Division I playoffs, what happened last week can't happen again.
"We need to take care of the ball," said coach Graig Hesseltine, referring to the team's three first-half turnovers in a 31-22 bi-district victory over Gonzales.
"We got off to a slow start, but luckily we were able to recover," he said. "We know that's not always the case. Still, we have to take care of the ball a little bit better."
Trailing 14-7 at halftime, the District 30-3A champions outscored Gonzales 24-8 in the second half. The Mustangs finished with 415 total yards - 322 of that rushing - and had two ball carriers break the century mark.
Quarterback Josh Coffield carried 19 times for 113 yards and completed six passes for 93. Running back Zach Adams, meanwhile, rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns on nine attempts.
Next up for Ingleside is La Feria (8-2) in a 3A Division I regional semifinal playoff Saturday night in Kingsville. Even if last week's turnover problems continue, Hesseltine expects the Mustangs to be ready.
"It's all about maturity," he said. "In the past we allowed that to bother us. Things would happen and we were never able to recover. They would just snowball and get worse. Now the kids are grown up. They know how to push forward and overcome."
Contact Javier Becerra at 886-3734 or HYPERLINK mailto:becerraj@caller.com becerraj@caller.com
Orange Grove, Ingleside prep for second round despite distractions
By JAVIER BECERRA Caller-Times
November 23, 2006
It's been four years since Orange Grove had to prepare for a second-round playoff game.
Despite the distractions that come with practicing during the Thanksgiving holiday, it's business as usual for the Bulldogs.
"We're trying to keep the same routine we have all season," said coach Brent Kornegay, whose team takes on Port Isabel on Friday in a Class 3A Division II area matchup at Alice's Memorial Stadium.
"The kids understand what's going on and do the necessary things to get ready," he said. "I've been pleased with the way they've handled themselves."
That work ethic resulted in a 42-14 bi-district romp over Yoakum last week. Orange Grove (10-1) built a 21-7 halftime lead and went on to outscore Yoakum 21-7 in the second half.
Running back Israel Ochoa led Orange Grove with 116 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Oscar Rodriguez, the team's leading rusher, chipped in 75, followed by Jose Martinez with 22 and Jonathan Rodriguez with 14.
Quarterback Paul Duarte completed 10 passes to seven different receivers - four of those for touchdowns - further indication of Orange Grove's versatility.
"We have a lot of playmakers," Kornegay said. "It's odd because you never know from week to week who's going to be the guy that really shines."
It happened to be Ochoa last week.
Along with rushing for a touchdown, he also hauled in an 8-yard scoring pass from Duarte and returned a fourth-quarter interception 52 yards for the game's final points. In addition to his exploits on offense, Ochoa finished with two picks and a tackle and returned a kickoff 20 yards.
"The kids impress me every week," Kornegay said. "They make plays when they have to make plays and they find a way to win."
INGLESIDE VS. LA FERIA
If Ingleside (10-1) has any intention of advancing another round in the 3A Division I playoffs, what happened last week can't happen again.
"We need to take care of the ball," said coach Graig Hesseltine, referring to the team's three first-half turnovers in a 31-22 bi-district victory over Gonzales.
"We got off to a slow start, but luckily we were able to recover," he said. "We know that's not always the case. Still, we have to take care of the ball a little bit better."
Trailing 14-7 at halftime, the District 30-3A champions outscored Gonzales 24-8 in the second half. The Mustangs finished with 415 total yards - 322 of that rushing - and had two ball carriers break the century mark.
Quarterback Josh Coffield carried 19 times for 113 yards and completed six passes for 93. Running back Zach Adams, meanwhile, rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns on nine attempts.
Next up for Ingleside is La Feria (8-2) in a 3A Division I regional semifinal playoff Saturday night in Kingsville. Even if last week's turnover problems continue, Hesseltine expects the Mustangs to be ready.
"It's all about maturity," he said. "In the past we allowed that to bother us. Things would happen and we were never able to recover. They would just snowball and get worse. Now the kids are grown up. They know how to push forward and overcome."
Contact Javier Becerra at 886-3734 or HYPERLINK mailto:becerraj@caller.com becerraj@caller.com