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Sweeny hosts Needville in 26-3A showdown
Published October 22, 2009
SWEENY — The defending District 26-3A champions will face one of their biggest tests in league play when the Needville Bluejays fly into Bulldog Stadium.
Sweeny (2-0 district, 5-2 overall) will square off with Needville (2-0, 6-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a battle of two of the three unbeaten teams in district play. Royal also is 2-0 and in position for one of the three postseason spots, while Columbia, Stafford and Wharton all are 0-2 and looking to make a playoff push with only three games left to play.
“What going 3-0 does for us is gets us a step closer, but it doesn’t clinch anything up,” Sweeny coach Tommy Zajicek said. “For Needville, going 3-0, based on what they have left, pretty much clinches a spot. For us, it’s a step closer to getting 4-0 and then reaching that ultimate goal of going undefeated and winning the district title.
“Right now, we’re trying to keep our spot in the district with only a few games left. It’s an important game, and the rest of them all are for us.”
Both Sweeny and Needville are coming off hard-fought district wins last week. Sweeny survived a grudge match against one-win Columbia, 14-8, while Needville got past winless Wharton, 20-15.
“You can’t take anybody lightly in this district,” Zajicek said. “And this week is a tough week for everybody.
“We’re three weeks in, and that’s a pivotal time for all the teams,” Zajicek said. “After this week, a lot of light will be shed on things and you’ll have a good idea of where you are. You’re going to be in a favorable position, or you’ll be in a spot where you’ll have to scramble. Of course, we want to stay on top.”
The Bluejays are on a four-game winning streak after falling Sept. 11 at La Grange, 28-22. La Grange is 7-0 on the season and ranked No. 10 in the latest Associated Press Class 3A Texas High School Football Poll.
Needville has the top defense in 26-3A, allowing 219.6 yards and 14 points a game. The Bluejays have given up more than 15 points in a game only once, in the loss to La Grange.
“Needville is not as big on defense as they have been, but they have a lot of speed,” Zajicek said. “They’re faster and have been able to keep up with a lot of teams.”
Sweeny’s vaunted running attack, behind senior tailback Jamell Woodard, will look to put holes in the Needville defense. Woodard is on the brink of breaking the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season and enters Friday’s game with 995 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns. He averages 7.43 yards a carry.
Bulldog junior quarterback Tré Lemon has run for 253 yards with two scores and has thrown for 548 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.
“We can’t lose our focus over the next three weeks and have to play a full 48 minutes,” Zajicek said. “We have to be more consistent and keep things going.”
Sweeny has the second-ranked defense in the district, allowing 233.6 yards a game. The Bulldogs will counter a Bluejay group that has moved the ball 288 yards a contest.
Needville senior quarterback Caleb Berry leads the passing attack with 686 yards and eight touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception. Three backs share the load in the Bluejays’ ground game — junior Shea Lehman (58 carries, 385 yards, four touchdowns), junior Dylan Fuchs (63 carries, 373 yards, seven touchdowns) and senior Josh Novosad (51 carries, 282 yards, three touchdowns).
Since the 2000 season, Sweeny leads the tight series between district rivals 5-4 but has outscored Needville 235-154 with four wins by at least 19 points.
Last year, Sweeny won in Needville, 55-36. Woodard ran for 224 yards and five touchdowns in the victory.
“I’m sure a lot of those kids remember that and coach (Ryan) Roark is using that for his kids this year,” Zajicek said. “I’m sure they’re looking to return the favor. But the two programs have played each other close over the years, and that one turned out to be a shootout. We’re expecting another tough game this week.”
Jim Levesque is a sports writer for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0161.
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