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Tigers start playing for keeps
The 0-3 Tigers are coming off a 42-0 loss to cross-county rival El Campo last week. "I think that the kids feel real good about what we're doing and know that we have a real good chance to compete in district," said first-year coach Gary Van Sant. "It's district and you want to play at even a higher tempo and higher level now. "We want to get off to a good start and to get off on a nice roll here early. You hope and take care of business." Sealy beat La Grange two weeks ago for its first win. The kids played hard and did a good job so they are feeling better about themselves," said first-year coach Jimmie Mitchell who came from Sinton. Sealy lost its season opener to rival Bellville and then fell to Class 2A Rice Consolidated on Sept. 7. The Tigers' first three opponents - Barbers Hill, Brazosport and El Campo - are all still undefeated. "I don't know if anybody in our district has played as quite as tough a schedule as us," said Van Sant. "The non district season is a time to impress your coaches and show them what your capable of and what you're not capable of." Despite losing to the Ricebirds last week, Van Sant was pleased with some facets of the game. "Regardless of the score, It was a good game for us," said Van Sant. "We saw some really good things and some players stepped up and impressed us," said Van Sant. Sealy's offense has also sputtered in its three games, averaging only 153 yards per game. Runningback Freedie Harison has scored two touchdowns and rushed for 171 yards and Dexter Downey has scored one touchdown and rushed for 133 yards, "They are realy elusive and good skilled players," said Van Sant. "They run real well with the ball and are hard to tackle." Sealy runs the spread-and-eye and is led by junior quarterback Brett Reichardt who has completed 13 of 30 passes for 121 yards. "A lot of their offense is a lot like ours," said Van Sant. "They are solid up front." Van Sant didn't disclose who will be quarterbacking on Friday. Triston Washington, Robert Herrera and Jesmon Granted shared the duties last week. "We have a real definite idea who we're going with and we'll solidfiy that later in the week," said Van Sant. Wharton's defense played decent last week. Two of El Campo's touchdowns came after turnovers and one was after a short punt. "On special teams we had a couple of mistakes that hurt. We played real stingy defense and we made them earn every touchdown." Wharton mustered only two penetrations into the red zone and totaled up only 144 yards. "We moved the ball, we just had turnovers and didn't catch the ball when we had a chance," said Van Sant. Van Sant believes it will take consisent play to beat Sealy. "We have to eliminate mistakes," said Van Sant. He expects a tough test from Sealy. "They are a talented team and we're going to have to play well," said Mitchell. "What scares me is their athleticism, They have some strong kids on the line and in the backfield." Mitchell believes a key for his team is jumping out to a good start. "I feel like that we need to get into the game and get the momentum in our favor early," said Mitchell. "You have to win the turnover battle," said Mitchell. "That was our thing for the first time in the three games that we played. We did that against La Grange and you need to do that to give you a good chance to win." One of Sealy's strengths is their special teams with punter Colby Hollis. "We try and take a lot of pride in our special teams," said Mitchell, "That's a big part of the game where we spend a lot of time on." "The way the district has kind of shaped up, everybody is kind of right there together," said Mitchell. "We've seen a lot of improvement but we still have a long way to go," said Mitchell. Both teams' offenses have had problems moving the ball. Wharton is averaging only 156 yards per game and Sealy is averaging 153 yards per game. "Us and Wharton have a lot in common," said Mitchell. "When you get a new coach in, the last thing to come around is that offensive system. "With the way defenses are played these days, there's so many variables that your kids have to learn. It takes time and it's tough." District favorite and 2-0 Needville hosts Columbus who is 2-1. Royal who is also 2-1 hosts winless Stafford and 2-1 Sweeny plays at their winless Brazoria County rival Columbia. As far as the district race, Van Sant expects a tough one. "Everybody has improved over last year," said Van Sant. "It should be a tight race right down to the wire and could come down to the last week." 24-3A Standings
Last Saturday's Results Needville 52, Sharpstown 12 Last Friday's Results El Campo 42, Wharton 0 Sweeny 21, Van Vleck 15 Royal 7, Brazos 6 Columbus, Columbia, Sealy-Open This Friday's Games Wharton at Sealy, 7:30 p.m. Columbus at Needville, 7:30 p.m. Stafford at Royal, 7:30 p.m. Sweeny at Columbia, 7:30 p.m. - Friday's Game Facts - WHAT: _District _24-3A Football Opener ________________________ WHO: _Wharton Tigers _ (0-3) _ vs. Sealy Tigers (1-2) WHEN-WHERE: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Tiger _Stadium,Sealy. LAST WEEK: Wharton dropped a 42-0 decision to county rival El Campo _and Sealy had _an open _date _beating _La Grange _Sept. 14. LAST YEAR -THE SERIES: Wharton won 26-20. Sealy won 20- 14 in 2001 and 23-20 in 2000. This is only the 13th teams to play since they first met in 1931. Wharon has won sevewn games and Sealy has won five. Sealy won 30-23 in 1993 but later had to forfeit the game because of an ineligible player. Wharton won 18-15 in 1991 and 19-7 in _92 and _Sealy _won 18-0 _in _1993. _______________________________ ABOUT WHARTON: The Tigers, under first year coach Gary Van Sant, has been outscored 91-16 and is averaging 156 yards. The defense is yielding 288 yards. Triston Washington, Robert Herrera and _Jesmon Grant will continue _to _share _the _quarterbacking duties. . ABOUT SEALY: Sealy, under first year coach Jimmie Mitchell, have een outscored 86-45 and is averaging 153 yards per game. The defensie is yielding 334 yards per game. Runningback Freddie Harrison has scored one touchdown and rushed for 171 yards. Dexter Downey has scored one touchdown and rushed for 133 yards. Quarterback Brett Reichardt has completed 13 of 30 passes for 121 and has three interc eptions. ________________________________________________ PIGSKIN PREP RATINGS: Wharton is ranked 93rd in Class 3A with a power rating of 134. Sealy is ranked 110th with a power rating of 1291. _Wharton _is _a 3-point favorite. OTHER DISTRICT GAMES: Columbia hosts Sweeny, Needville e ntertains _Columbus _and Stafford _plays _Royal _in _Brookshire | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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