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Tigers visit Sweeny Friday
The 2-2 Tigers visit 1-3 Sweeny in a big game on Friday. Columbia, Sealy and Columbus share the lead with a 3-1 records. Needville and Royal are also 2-2. The Roughnecks host the Bluejays, Sealy plays Royal in Brookshire and the Cardinals visit the winless Spartans. "The big thing this week is how we are going to fare against Sweeny," said Wharton coach Gary Van Sant. Wharton is coming off a 42-7 win over the Spartans last week. "We're in a situation where we have to win out and hope someone helps us out," said Sweeny coach Tommy Zajicek. Wharton isn't necessarily in a must win situation. "For us, if we have another loss it might all depend on how everyone else does if we still have a chance."
"Some of the pre-season favorites are up there and some are not," said Zajicek. "It's still a pretty wide open race." Needville was picked to win the district and the Bulldogs were picked second. The 3-4 Bulldogs have been on a roller coaster ride. "If you look at what's left on the district schedule, Columbia is sitting good right now,"said Zajicek. "A lot of things can happen in the next three weeks." Van Sant agreed his players are feeling good about themselves because of the Tigers chances. "They are in pretty good spirits," said Van Sant. "They know where they sit and know what they have to do. Each week keeps getting more and more important." Sweeeny's won last year's game - a 33-32 overtime thriller. This is the 40th meeting between the two teams since they first played in 1956. Wharton has won 20 games and Sweeny has won 16 They battled to a scoreless tie in 1965, a 13-13 tie in 1974 and a 21-21 tie in 1975. The teams didn't play in 1998-99.
Sweeny won 24-17 in 2005 after the Tigers shutout the Bulldogs 25-0 in 2004. "It's always been a good rivalry and it goes back 25 years ago when both teams were in a much different 3A district," said Zajicek. The Bulldogs are a 9-point favorite according to Pigskin Prep Sweeny is averaging 223 yards per game compared to 170 yards for the Tigers. The Bulldog defense is yielding 255 yards per game and Wharton's is giving up 245 yards per game. "Their defense as a unit is very good," said Van Sant. The Bulldogs, who rely on a running attack, are led by fullbacks Tyrell Griffin and Edward Wright. We have to stop these two guys because they are really physical and strong," said Van Sant. Griffin has scored three touchdowns and rushed for 456 yards and Wright has scored six touchdowns and rushed for 405 yards. Marsh Zajicek has completed 62 of 122 passes for 611 yards. He has two TD passes and six interceptions. "He's a leader for them," said Van Sant. Van Sant will continue to rely on Van Sant will continue to rely on two quarterbacks- Tristan Washington and Robert Herrera. "Washington brings you real fast feet," said Van Sant. "You darn sure better not let him get outside of the pocket. He can hurt you running." Van Sant believes it will take an overall team effort for the Tigers to win. "If we can get out to a good start and get some things going, we'll be in good shape," said Van Sant. Zajicek's biggest concern is Wharton's team speed. "They say that speed kills," said Zajicek. "They can have one little miss and then go the distance. They are right there with Sealy as far as speedwise." And Zajicek believes stopping Wharton's big play capability will be one of the keys to success for the Bulldogs. "We don't do that against Sealy and we're back in the ball game," said Zajicek. "I think the game will boil down to turnovers like most games." |
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