Gobbla2001
12-15-2007, 02:43 PM
http://media.victoriaadvocate.com/smedia/2007/12/14/23/406-mf_cuerofb_121507.highlight.prod_affiliate.31.jpg
Photo from Victoria Advocate article... DE/TE Kaeron Johnson AKA gobbler84)
EXPECTTHEUNEXPECTED
Cuero ready for whatever China Spring has to offer
BY MIKE FORMAN - ADVOCATE SPORTS WRITER
December 15, 2007
Cuero coach Mark Reeve knows anything can happen in the playoffs and he figures it probably will when the Gobblers (12-2) meet China Spring (13-1) in a Class 3A, Division II semifinal game today at 6 p.m. at Burger Center in Austin.
“China Spring has as many trick plays as Carter has pills,”Reeve said. “They have so many trick plays we probably couldn’t practice them all.”
Reeve has done his best to make sure the Gobblers are prepared for a China Spring offense that is as diverse as any they’ve faced this season. The Cougars have averaged 33.5 points per game in playoff wins over Rockdale, Palestine Westwood, Kirbyville and Waco La Vega.
“They run out of the spread but they’re very multiple,” Reeve said. “They’ll go with two tight ends and wing formations. They don’t just line up in trips and doubles and throw the football. They also do a great job with their running offense.”
The key to the Cougars’ offense has been quarterback Dustin Eskew, who ran for the winning touchdown with under 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter of last week’s 31-28 quarterfinal victory over La Vega.
Eskew threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns in the win over La Vega and has completed 184 of 304 passes for 2,947 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing 157 times for 658 yards and nine touchdowns. Eskew took over at quarterback for Shawn Bell, who is the son of China Spring head coach Mark Bell and played at Baylor.
“He’s very accurate,” Reeve said of Eskew. “He throws the ball really well. He’s also their leading rusher. He’s just a good football player. It doesn’t surprise me. They traditionally have good quarterbacks.”
Eskew isn’t the only offensive threat for the Cougars, whose only loss was a 42-13 District 17-3A setback against La Vega. Mike Hicks has rushed for 576 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 77 passes for 1,239 yards and 12 touchdowns and Taylor Higdon has 50 receptions for 777 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“They had some turnovers in the first game (against La Vega),”Reeve said. “They’re very balanced football team and they put a lot of pressure on your defense.”
Reeve is also impressed with China Spring’s defense, which has limited opponents to two touchdowns or less in nine games.
“They’ve played great defense,”Reeve said. “They held an extremely explosive La Vega team to 28 points.”
The Gobblers have averaged 44.3 points in playoff wins over Mathis, Port Isabel, Wimberley and Palacios. Cuero quarterback Tyler Arndt has passed for 2.373 yards and seven touchdowns and running back Quincey Whittington has rushed for 1,759 yards and 25 touchdowns and caught 40 passes for 720 yards and five touchdowns.
Even more encouraging for Cuero has been the play of its defense, which has allowed only one touchdown before the fourth quarter in four playoff games.
“We had a good week of practice and we’ve really been concentrating on what they do,” Cuero defensive end Kaeron Johnson said. “As long we’re reading our keys there’s no reason they should be able to execute their trick plays.”
The Gobblers are making their third semifinal appearance in four years and a win would send them to the championship game for the second time in four years and the 11th time overall.
“Our kids are fired up about playing,” Reeve said. “They’ve had a smile on their face and they’ve been working hard. They’re having a great time playing football.”
NOTES: Cuero will be the home team…Tickets at the Burger Center gate will be $10…The game will be broadcast on KBAR, 100.9 FM in Victoria and Webcast on www.gobblersports.com…The Cuero-China Spring winner will face the winner of today’s Celina-Snyder game in the state final. Celina and Snyder play at 4 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.
Photo from Victoria Advocate article... DE/TE Kaeron Johnson AKA gobbler84)
EXPECTTHEUNEXPECTED
Cuero ready for whatever China Spring has to offer
BY MIKE FORMAN - ADVOCATE SPORTS WRITER
December 15, 2007
Cuero coach Mark Reeve knows anything can happen in the playoffs and he figures it probably will when the Gobblers (12-2) meet China Spring (13-1) in a Class 3A, Division II semifinal game today at 6 p.m. at Burger Center in Austin.
“China Spring has as many trick plays as Carter has pills,”Reeve said. “They have so many trick plays we probably couldn’t practice them all.”
Reeve has done his best to make sure the Gobblers are prepared for a China Spring offense that is as diverse as any they’ve faced this season. The Cougars have averaged 33.5 points per game in playoff wins over Rockdale, Palestine Westwood, Kirbyville and Waco La Vega.
“They run out of the spread but they’re very multiple,” Reeve said. “They’ll go with two tight ends and wing formations. They don’t just line up in trips and doubles and throw the football. They also do a great job with their running offense.”
The key to the Cougars’ offense has been quarterback Dustin Eskew, who ran for the winning touchdown with under 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter of last week’s 31-28 quarterfinal victory over La Vega.
Eskew threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns in the win over La Vega and has completed 184 of 304 passes for 2,947 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing 157 times for 658 yards and nine touchdowns. Eskew took over at quarterback for Shawn Bell, who is the son of China Spring head coach Mark Bell and played at Baylor.
“He’s very accurate,” Reeve said of Eskew. “He throws the ball really well. He’s also their leading rusher. He’s just a good football player. It doesn’t surprise me. They traditionally have good quarterbacks.”
Eskew isn’t the only offensive threat for the Cougars, whose only loss was a 42-13 District 17-3A setback against La Vega. Mike Hicks has rushed for 576 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 77 passes for 1,239 yards and 12 touchdowns and Taylor Higdon has 50 receptions for 777 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“They had some turnovers in the first game (against La Vega),”Reeve said. “They’re very balanced football team and they put a lot of pressure on your defense.”
Reeve is also impressed with China Spring’s defense, which has limited opponents to two touchdowns or less in nine games.
“They’ve played great defense,”Reeve said. “They held an extremely explosive La Vega team to 28 points.”
The Gobblers have averaged 44.3 points in playoff wins over Mathis, Port Isabel, Wimberley and Palacios. Cuero quarterback Tyler Arndt has passed for 2.373 yards and seven touchdowns and running back Quincey Whittington has rushed for 1,759 yards and 25 touchdowns and caught 40 passes for 720 yards and five touchdowns.
Even more encouraging for Cuero has been the play of its defense, which has allowed only one touchdown before the fourth quarter in four playoff games.
“We had a good week of practice and we’ve really been concentrating on what they do,” Cuero defensive end Kaeron Johnson said. “As long we’re reading our keys there’s no reason they should be able to execute their trick plays.”
The Gobblers are making their third semifinal appearance in four years and a win would send them to the championship game for the second time in four years and the 11th time overall.
“Our kids are fired up about playing,” Reeve said. “They’ve had a smile on their face and they’ve been working hard. They’re having a great time playing football.”
NOTES: Cuero will be the home team…Tickets at the Burger Center gate will be $10…The game will be broadcast on KBAR, 100.9 FM in Victoria and Webcast on www.gobblersports.com…The Cuero-China Spring winner will face the winner of today’s Celina-Snyder game in the state final. Celina and Snyder play at 4 p.m. at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.