Sweetwater Red
11-07-2008, 12:38 PM
Sweetwater, Wylie meet to decide district title
Written by Ron Howell
Thursday, 06 November 2008
Although their football programs both have a long history of success, neither Sweetwater or Wylie was favored by most of the preaseason experts to win the District 2-3A title this season. Brownwood was the consensus choice, not only because it was dropping from Class 4A but also because the Lions were returning the bulk of their talent from a team that in 2007 had beaten good Mustang and Bulldog squads and also had additional motivation after missing the playoffs.
Wylie was picked to finish either second or third by most of the pollsters, and Sweetwater — well, the Mustangs weren't even expected to reach the postseason.
But going into the final week of the 2008 regular season, the "experts" predictions have al-ready blown up in their faces. Not only are Wylie and Sweet-water tied for the District 2-3A lead, but Brownwood is facing an uphill battle just to make it to the playoffs. And on Friday, Sweetwater and Wylie will meet at Mustang Bowl to decide the outright district champion.
Both teams have managed perfect 4-0 records while playing in a district that has more teams with playoff traditions than perhaps any in the state. Last week, Sweetwater out-scored Brownwood 56-41 and Wylie kept pace with a 34-7 win over Graham.
The Mustangs scored on eight of 11 possessions against Brownwood, which crushed Sweetwater 55-7 in a non-district game the previous year. Sweetwater had season highs in rushing yards (523) and points and got touchdowns from six different players, including three by Steven Fields.
Sweetwater's four district games have all been decided by 15 points or less, while Wylie's first three victories in District 2-3A prior to facing Graham last week were by a total of just 18 points. Neither team had any soft spots on their pre-district schedule either. Sweetwater lost to Burkburnett before narrowly getting past Seminole and Monahans and then beating good Clyde and Big Spring squads to end its non-district schedule. Wylie — currently ranked ninth in the state — lost to Liberty Hill, the No. 1-ranked team in 3A, and to Frenship, which is No. 7 in Class 4A, by a total of just eight points and beat another very good 3A team, Waco La Vega, as well as Canyon and Vernon prior to district.
Sweetwater and Wylie have already locked up playoff berths. The Mustangs will enter the postseason as their district's top seed in the Division II bracket, regardless of Friday's outcome. Wylie has qualified as District 2-3A's No. 1 seed in the Division I playoffs. This is the first time the teams have met to decide the district championship in the final game of the season.
Sweetwater will honor its seniors prior to the start of the contest. "We encourage people to show up early to honor our seniors, and then stay and be loud," said coach Kent Jackson. "It ought to be a lot of fun fighting for the gold ball."
Sweetwater's chances may depend on its ability to hold onto the ball against Wylie. The Mustangs had no turnovers against Brownwood after committing 10 in the previous three weeks. Wylie came up with six turnovers against Graham this past week.
The Mustangs again spread the wealth around running the ball, with Fields gaining a season-best 167 yards to lead the way. Daniel Jackson picked up 88 yards to break the 1,000-yard barrier (1,047) for the season. Quarterback Zach Birdwell added 84 yards while A.J. McCoy had 73, Rufus McCann 67 and B.J. Walker 40. All of them found the end zone in the high-scoring victory over Brownwood.
For the second straight time, Birdwell did not have to attempt a pass because of the potent rushing attack.
Wylie limited Graham to 203 yards, about one-third of its total in a 59-41 victory over Brownwood a week earlier, and led the Steers 27-0 at halftime. The Bulldogs didn't have big offensive numbers, running for 149 yards and throwing for 92, but were still effective. Kris Gilmore led Wylie by rushing for 84 yards on 18 carries and QBs Matt Preston and Jackson Minor were a combined 10-of-15 with two touchdowns, one to Jon Miller and the other to Rayce Burks. Austin Gray kicked a pair of second-quarter field goals as well as all four extra points.
The district's No. 3 playoff spot is still up for grabs as Snyder (2-2), Graham (1-3) and Brownwood (1-3) are still in the running. Snyder can clinch a berth with a victory on Friday against Brownwood, while the Lions must beat the Tigers and also hope last-place Brecken-ridge (0-4) beats Graham to earn a spot.
http://www.sweetwaterreporter.com/content/view/118538/122/
Written by Ron Howell
Thursday, 06 November 2008
Although their football programs both have a long history of success, neither Sweetwater or Wylie was favored by most of the preaseason experts to win the District 2-3A title this season. Brownwood was the consensus choice, not only because it was dropping from Class 4A but also because the Lions were returning the bulk of their talent from a team that in 2007 had beaten good Mustang and Bulldog squads and also had additional motivation after missing the playoffs.
Wylie was picked to finish either second or third by most of the pollsters, and Sweetwater — well, the Mustangs weren't even expected to reach the postseason.
But going into the final week of the 2008 regular season, the "experts" predictions have al-ready blown up in their faces. Not only are Wylie and Sweet-water tied for the District 2-3A lead, but Brownwood is facing an uphill battle just to make it to the playoffs. And on Friday, Sweetwater and Wylie will meet at Mustang Bowl to decide the outright district champion.
Both teams have managed perfect 4-0 records while playing in a district that has more teams with playoff traditions than perhaps any in the state. Last week, Sweetwater out-scored Brownwood 56-41 and Wylie kept pace with a 34-7 win over Graham.
The Mustangs scored on eight of 11 possessions against Brownwood, which crushed Sweetwater 55-7 in a non-district game the previous year. Sweetwater had season highs in rushing yards (523) and points and got touchdowns from six different players, including three by Steven Fields.
Sweetwater's four district games have all been decided by 15 points or less, while Wylie's first three victories in District 2-3A prior to facing Graham last week were by a total of just 18 points. Neither team had any soft spots on their pre-district schedule either. Sweetwater lost to Burkburnett before narrowly getting past Seminole and Monahans and then beating good Clyde and Big Spring squads to end its non-district schedule. Wylie — currently ranked ninth in the state — lost to Liberty Hill, the No. 1-ranked team in 3A, and to Frenship, which is No. 7 in Class 4A, by a total of just eight points and beat another very good 3A team, Waco La Vega, as well as Canyon and Vernon prior to district.
Sweetwater and Wylie have already locked up playoff berths. The Mustangs will enter the postseason as their district's top seed in the Division II bracket, regardless of Friday's outcome. Wylie has qualified as District 2-3A's No. 1 seed in the Division I playoffs. This is the first time the teams have met to decide the district championship in the final game of the season.
Sweetwater will honor its seniors prior to the start of the contest. "We encourage people to show up early to honor our seniors, and then stay and be loud," said coach Kent Jackson. "It ought to be a lot of fun fighting for the gold ball."
Sweetwater's chances may depend on its ability to hold onto the ball against Wylie. The Mustangs had no turnovers against Brownwood after committing 10 in the previous three weeks. Wylie came up with six turnovers against Graham this past week.
The Mustangs again spread the wealth around running the ball, with Fields gaining a season-best 167 yards to lead the way. Daniel Jackson picked up 88 yards to break the 1,000-yard barrier (1,047) for the season. Quarterback Zach Birdwell added 84 yards while A.J. McCoy had 73, Rufus McCann 67 and B.J. Walker 40. All of them found the end zone in the high-scoring victory over Brownwood.
For the second straight time, Birdwell did not have to attempt a pass because of the potent rushing attack.
Wylie limited Graham to 203 yards, about one-third of its total in a 59-41 victory over Brownwood a week earlier, and led the Steers 27-0 at halftime. The Bulldogs didn't have big offensive numbers, running for 149 yards and throwing for 92, but were still effective. Kris Gilmore led Wylie by rushing for 84 yards on 18 carries and QBs Matt Preston and Jackson Minor were a combined 10-of-15 with two touchdowns, one to Jon Miller and the other to Rayce Burks. Austin Gray kicked a pair of second-quarter field goals as well as all four extra points.
The district's No. 3 playoff spot is still up for grabs as Snyder (2-2), Graham (1-3) and Brownwood (1-3) are still in the running. Snyder can clinch a berth with a victory on Friday against Brownwood, while the Lions must beat the Tigers and also hope last-place Brecken-ridge (0-4) beats Graham to earn a spot.
http://www.sweetwaterreporter.com/content/view/118538/122/