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05-15-2008, 06:37 AM
http://www.caller.com/news/2008/may/15/a-playoff-run-for-the-ages/
High SchoolA playoff run for the ages
Mathis in third round for first time in 40 years
By Javier Becerra (Contact)
Originally published 06:03 a.m., May 15, 2008
Updated 06:03 a.m., May 15, 2008
It's been a while since the Pirates made it three rounds into the postseason, so Gutierrez thought he should spread the word.
Playing in the regional quarterfinals for the first time in four decades, Mathis (22-7) hosts the Gobblers (30-2-1) in the opener of a best-of-3 series that continues Friday night in Cuero.
A third game, if necessary, is set for Saturday afternoon in Mathis.
After 40 years, the Pirates were ready.
"It's crazy," senior J.D. Pinon said. "Forty years, man. That's a long time. We've been to playoffs, but could never get past the second round. This year we knew we could do it."
Mathis finally did. It only took six tries.
The Pirates hadn't been to the playoffs in 35 years when they made it in 2003. The team lost to Falfurrias in the second round that season and to Pearsall in the first round the next.
Mathis made it two rounds the next three years, but continued to struggle. The Pirates were eliminated by Falfurrias twice and once by Pharr Valley View.
Now in his 10th year at the helm, the jinx is finally over for coach Rey Cardona.
"I played here, my dad played here and my uncle played here, so we've been talking about it," said Cardona, a 1987 graduate. "Now everyone will have something different to talk about."
Mathis finished second in District 30-3A behind Sinton, which set up a bi-district matchup against Palacios. The Pirates lost the first game 6-5, but rebounded to win the next two 11-8 and 12-7 to advance.
Falfurrias waited in the second round, but this time Mathis prevailed 7-1 to earn a spot in the regional quarterfinals. The Pirates just didn't know it had been so long since the team's last trip to the third round.
"It's a pretty big thing," senior Victor Alvarado said. "We knew we hadn't been very successful, but thought we had some good teams. Just to know it's been that long and that we did it feels great."
The players want the feeling to continue.
"We don't want this to end," senior David Stevenson said. "We had a rocky start, but we came together as a team. We just know what to do now. Things clicked. We're not ready to play our last game."
To reach the next round, Cardona said the Pirates must avoid costly mistakes.
"Nobody trips on the mountain, but on thee little stuff along the way to the top," Cardona said. "If we take care of that we should be all right. We're going to climb the mountain again this week. We just want to play our best and see what happens."
Contact Javier Becerra at 886-3734 or becerrajcaller.com
High SchoolA playoff run for the ages
Mathis in third round for first time in 40 years
By Javier Becerra (Contact)
Originally published 06:03 a.m., May 15, 2008
Updated 06:03 a.m., May 15, 2008
It's been a while since the Pirates made it three rounds into the postseason, so Gutierrez thought he should spread the word.
Playing in the regional quarterfinals for the first time in four decades, Mathis (22-7) hosts the Gobblers (30-2-1) in the opener of a best-of-3 series that continues Friday night in Cuero.
A third game, if necessary, is set for Saturday afternoon in Mathis.
After 40 years, the Pirates were ready.
"It's crazy," senior J.D. Pinon said. "Forty years, man. That's a long time. We've been to playoffs, but could never get past the second round. This year we knew we could do it."
Mathis finally did. It only took six tries.
The Pirates hadn't been to the playoffs in 35 years when they made it in 2003. The team lost to Falfurrias in the second round that season and to Pearsall in the first round the next.
Mathis made it two rounds the next three years, but continued to struggle. The Pirates were eliminated by Falfurrias twice and once by Pharr Valley View.
Now in his 10th year at the helm, the jinx is finally over for coach Rey Cardona.
"I played here, my dad played here and my uncle played here, so we've been talking about it," said Cardona, a 1987 graduate. "Now everyone will have something different to talk about."
Mathis finished second in District 30-3A behind Sinton, which set up a bi-district matchup against Palacios. The Pirates lost the first game 6-5, but rebounded to win the next two 11-8 and 12-7 to advance.
Falfurrias waited in the second round, but this time Mathis prevailed 7-1 to earn a spot in the regional quarterfinals. The Pirates just didn't know it had been so long since the team's last trip to the third round.
"It's a pretty big thing," senior Victor Alvarado said. "We knew we hadn't been very successful, but thought we had some good teams. Just to know it's been that long and that we did it feels great."
The players want the feeling to continue.
"We don't want this to end," senior David Stevenson said. "We had a rocky start, but we came together as a team. We just know what to do now. Things clicked. We're not ready to play our last game."
To reach the next round, Cardona said the Pirates must avoid costly mistakes.
"Nobody trips on the mountain, but on thee little stuff along the way to the top," Cardona said. "If we take care of that we should be all right. We're going to climb the mountain again this week. We just want to play our best and see what happens."
Contact Javier Becerra at 886-3734 or becerrajcaller.com