|
Listing Ships to battle Mustangs
Published October 30, 2009
FREEPORT — If the Brazosport Exporters are going to pull themselves back into the District 24-4A playoff race, they are going to do it with some missing ingredients.
The Ships (1-4 district, 3-4 overall) still have a shot at a postseason berth but must get by the Friendswood Mustangs (3-2, 5-3) at 7 p.m. today at Hopper Field and then beat Texas City in the regular season finale.
“There is a lot of different scenarios, and only (Angleton) has clinched a playoff spot,” Brazosport head coach Brian Welch said. “Four is the magic number to clinch a playoff spot, but three is a strong possibility, especially in this district. Right now, no one has four wins except Angleton.”
But the Exporters must get by the pass-happy Mustangs, who are coming off a four-overtime win against Manvel, 30-27, last week and are a victory from their fourth district win.
“They are a solid team,” Welch said. “They throw the ball well, and our kids have to come out and play mistake-free football. We cannot let penalties or anything else get in our way.”
The Exporters will be limping into Hopper Field minus linebacker Jose Torres (broken ankle) and running back/defensive back Gary Bivens (broken arm).
“Jose broke his ankle against La Marque, while Gary also broke his arm against them but tried playing through it,” Welch said. “Gary tried playing defense, but we had to take him to the doctor.
“We’ve moved some guys around and added some wrinkles to try to get things going on our offense,” Welch said. “But our offense is capable without Gary and Jose.”
The Exporters still have the top rated defense (222.0 yards allowed a game) in district, but are at the bottom on offensively (274.1 yards a game).
With Bivens (122 carries, 713 yards, seven touchdowns) missing, Dexter Brown (94 carries, 392 yards, three touchdowns) now must pick up the slack in the backfield.
Quarterback Kris Quiller (35-for-82 passing, 432 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) and Orlando Lewis (2-for-3 passing, 84 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions) will rotate at quarterback.
“This offense is capable of making a 20-play drive against La Marque and a 19-play against Dawson,” Welch said. “But we have to be consistent and not allow little mistakes like fumbles and penalties affect us.”
Friendswood’s Peter Maetzold (122-for-216 passing, 1,655 yards, 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions) is the top quarterback in the district.
Tailback Andrew Cole (109 carries, 606 yards, six touchdowns) came back from injury last week against Manvel and ran the ball well.
“We have to play mistake-free football on offense and maintain the level of excellence on defense,” Welch said.
Joel Luna is the sports editor for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0160.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print
|
|
|
 |
|
Click for all
Top Ads listing
|
