Dogs search for initial district win against Van Vleck
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Photo by Terrell Jessen/Jessen Photography Boling runningback B.W. McLeod picks up yardage in a recent game against Palacios. The Bulldogs host rival Van Vleck for homecoming Friday night.

BOLING - More than bragging rights will be at stake when the Boling and Van Vleck football teams meet in a Caney Creek battle at Bulldog Stadium Friday night.

The Bulldogs enter Friday's District 27-2A game with a 1-1 league record while the Leopards come in 0-2.

Boling is coming off a hard-fought 22-18 loss to Danbury last week.

"It's only one loss and we have four more (games) to go," said Boling coach Neal Majewski.

"Winning this week puts us in a good situation to finish out the season and get ourselves in the playoffs."

"Both teams are in a situation where a loss puts them behind everone else. They are backed into a corner and two losses puts us in a situation where we are in a must-win situation."

"A win for us right now would be a great thing and that's what we're trying to get done."

Van Vleck had an open date and dropped a 34-33 decision to East Bernard two weeks ago.

Van Vleck coach Doug McRorey feels the same way.

"We go into each game figuring it's a must win," said Doug McRorey. "We both need to go out there and win the game. It's going to be a good battle."

The Leopards lost to Brazos in their district opener on Sept. 28.

East Bernard (2-1) hosts rival and Brazos (1-1) in the other district games.

League-leading and Hitchcock (2- 0) hosts Clear Springs a non-district game.

"We all said that this district is pretty balanced and that any week anybody can be beaten," said Majewski.

"I think for the most part the scores have indicated that; so by no means is it over."

He down-plays the rivalry aspect.

"Rivalries are more communitybased," said Majewski. "Somtimes they are more hyped than there actually is.

"We look at this game no more than we looked at Danbury or in game we look at Hitchcock. When it boils down to it, it's a district opponent."

"I'm sure there's something deep inside that they don't want to lose to Van Vleck because they are so close. But I don't think they try any harder because it's Van Vleck."

McRorey believes the rivalry aspect could be a factor.

"I think that always comes in to play," said McRorey.

"The kids seem to know each other. That always makes for a more competitive game so we're looking forward to it."

Van Vleck beat Boling 48-42 in a double overtime bi-district playoff game in Bay City in 2003.

The Leopards beat the Bulldogs in 2001-2002. The teams didn't play in 2004-2005. This is the 36th time for the teams to play since they first met in 1970. Van Vleck has won 21 games and Boling has won 13. They battled to a 6-6 tie back in 1977.

As in the past, Van Vleck has a lot of speed and quickness.

The Leopards have totaled up 102 points but are only averaging 212 yards per game.

"They are real athletic," said Majewski.

The Leopards are led by quarterback Michael Alliniece who has completed 26 of 86 passes for 462 yards. He has five TD passes and 11 interceptions. "He's a dangerous kid and they play hard," said Majewski. "We have to make good tackles and not let him out in the open grass."

Boling held on for a 24-20 win over Van Vleck in last year's game at Burl McKinney Stadium.

The Bulldogs and Leopards are similar in many ways.

"They're strengthes and weaknesses parallell ours," said McRorey "We'll just see how it plays out.

Turnovers is always the biggest key and we have to hang on to the football.

Majewski believes the Bulldogs must hang on to the ball to have a chance to win.

"We have to hang on to the football," said Majewski. "Turnovers in our last three games have been a pretty big factor in winning and losing.

"Execution is another thing we have to get better at and finishing off the job that needs to be done."

Boling's depth has dwindled due to several injuries over the past two months and that's a concern of Majeweski.

"We've had a bad run and we're up to four guys who are out for the year," said Majewski. "We had two more guys out last week so depth is an issue right now with us."

Injured players include Colton Frankum, Jacob Kitzmiller, Amadeus Furentes, David Zambrano and Simon Mendoza.

He isn't planning to bring up any players from the junior varsity.

"We have guys going both ways and that's the way we're playing it," said Majewski.

McRorey expects a tough test from the Bulldogs.

"They're strong in the offensive backfield again," said McRorey referring to running back B.W.McLeod and quarterback Justin Hobbs.

"We consider their pass and run both a threat."

Besides turnovers, McRorey believes field position will be a factor.

"Both team's offenses haven't been that strong this year," said McRorey. "When your looking and driving the lenght of the field, I think that's its a big disadvantage.

"Defense and special team will be a key. Whoever playing on a short field will be an advantage."