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Bulldogs, Brahmas meet for county bragging rights
EB clinched one of the three District 27-2A play-off spots three weeks ago after beating rival Brazos 21-14. The Brahmas, who beat Pope John XXIII 51-0 last Friday, are 6-3 on the season and 3-1 in league play. Boling is winless in district and is 1- 7 on the season. "It's probably more of a rivalry for them than it is to us," said EB coach Jerry Long. "We're looking at it as finishing our regular season in a positive way.Boling coach Neal Majewski says it's always been a great rivalry between Wharton County's 2A schools. "With us being so close, community wise, the kids know each other and bragging rights are important," said Majewski. "I think our kids will come out and play hard. We won't have any pressure so hopefully we can go out and have fun. We'll see what the scoreboard ends up being. "The win doesn't affect if we make the play-offs or not. But it's pride and we're representing our school. You play to win and a competitor will compete."
The Brahmas will most likely tangle with Hallettsville in their bi-district play-off game on Nov. 16. "We're not looking ahead to that play-off game," said Long. Boling was officially eliminated from the playoffs last Friday after losing to Brazos 51-26 East Bernard won 30-21 last year in a game than ended with a driving rain storm. East Bernard won 33-0 in 2005 The Brahmas rallied from a 14-7 halftime deficit to beat the Bulldogs 28-14 in 2004. Boling won 35-18 in 2003 to snap a 10-game winning streak by the Brahmas. This is the 34th meeting between the two schools since they first played in 1933. The Brahmas have won 22 games and the Bulldogs have won 11 games. When the two teams battled last year in Boling, the Bulldogs were playing for a share of the district title. EB was 5-0 and Boling was 4-1 after losing to the Cougars 44-26. "It's going to be a county rivalry game and they want to beat us bad," said EB coach Jerry Long.
Down 21-20 in last year's game, East Bernard got a 30-yard touchdown run by Oshundrick Thomas and extra point kick by Chris Plunkett with 3:51 remaining in the game to go up 28-21. A thunderstorm then moved over Bulldog Stadium. The kickoff was muffed and B.W. McLeod was tackled in the end zone for a safety to make it 30-21. Boling recovered an onside kick but later turned the ball over on downs. While the Bulldogs are playing for pride and bragging rights, the Brahmas want to take momentum into the playoffs. "Our kids know that and we have to motivate ourselves to practice and play well," said Long. "Their kids have nothing to lose. "That's what I expect and it was that way last year," said Long. "They gave us every bit. I'm glad the game is here and I'm glad of the situation we're in but we have to show up and play."
"I talked to the kids about finishing off the regular season with a win. Their kids are going to show up and play hard and our kids have to do the same." We're obviously coming in with a better situation this year than last not coming off two open dates," said Long. Boling played an aggressive game against the Cougars last week and recovered three onside kicks. "We have to be the aggressor and apply the pressure," said Majewski. "We're going to have to be able to pass and take advantage of what we can do." Long said his team must be ready. "We have to be prepared for those things and expect anything," said Long. Friday's battle could be an offensive explosion as both teams are averaging over 300 yards per game. The Brahmas are averaging 330 yards per game and the Bulldogs are averaging 302 yards per game. East Bernard's defense ranks second in the district behind Brazos, yielding 265 yards per game.
Unlike in last year, East Bernard only had one running back in Oshundrick Thomas when Mike Hayes went down with a season ending injury earlier in the season. Hayes is back and has scored nine touchdowns and rushed for 679 yards. This year, he's complimented by juniors Lance Crump and Chris Plunkett. Crump has scored six touchdowns and rushed for 701 yards and Plunkett has scored six touchdowns and rushed for 648 yards. Plunkett, also the Brahmas' kicker, has booted five field goals and 33 extra points. Majewski agreed the Brahmas are a formidable opponent. "They are well disciplined and playing hard," said Majewski. "They have some young guys stepping up and are just a sound ball club." McLeod is back for the Bulldogs at the running back position and has score 10 touchdowns and rushed for 918 yards. "Hopefully he can break loose and get through," said Majewski. Quarterback Sean Hollis who took over for Justin Hobbs, who broke his wrist early in the season, has completed 34 of 78 passes for 442 yards. Hobbs has been playing defense and actually caught a past in last Friday's game. But Hobbs' receiving corps includes Thomas Felder, Kalin Ray and Trevor Archer. Felder has caught 23 passes for 339 yards, Ray 22 passes for 301 yards, Trevor Archer, 20 passes for 215 yards and McLeod, 11 passes for 117 yards. "They spread the field offensively and have some weapons," said Long. "That McLeod is obviously somebody you have to stop. "Hobbs has stepped in and is doing quite a good job. "The last two weeks our defense had played a lot better so we'll build on that," said Long "I hope it will be a competitive game, "said Majewski. "They are plenty good and if you look at the records, they should take care of us. It still boils down to playing and who does right more often. "A win would definitely be something to end the season on a positive note," said Majewski. "It would give our younger kids confidence going into next year. Our kids are resilient and could have quit a long time ago but they haven't. They know the have to play both ways and know about the depth." Majewski said it will take a combination of things to beat the Brahmas, which are 22- point favorites. "It's the normal turnovers, field position and that kind of stuff," said Majewski. "We can't make mistakes and give them extra chances." |
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