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Angleton aims for top of 24-4A
Published October 30, 2009
ANGLETON — The undefeated Angleton Wildcats have clinched a playoff berth and at least a share of the District 24-4A title. Tonight they have a chance to take the crown outright with a home win against the upstart Santa Fe Indians.
“Step one for us is winning the district championship, and not too many teams can say they repeated as champs, especially in this league,” Angleton head coach Finis Vanover said. “But we want to be selfish and not share that title with anybody else. We can do that this week against a good Santa Fe team right here at home — you couldn’t ask for a better situation.”
Angleton (5-0 district, 8-0 overall), ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, will take on Santa Fe (3-2, 6-2) at 7 p.m. today at Wildcat Stadium in its final home game of the regular season.
A few weeks ago it looked as if the then-undefeated Indians and Wildcats were on a collision course to determine the 24-4A champion. But after a 6-0 start, Santa Fe dropped its last two district games and now is trying to hold on to make the playoffs with two games left — its final contest is next week against Pearland Dawson (3-2, 6-2).
“We were looking at (Santa Fe) to be undefeated after that start when we’d meet, but now their entire season is on the line and a chance at the playoffs and a district title,” Vanover said. “It’s a must-win situation for them and we’re going to have some very dangerous Indians at our hands.
“The ante has been upped at their end, no question, and we’re going to have to play our best football.”
Every district game Santa Fe has played has been decided by one score. The Indians outscored opponents by eight points in three wins and were outscored by 11 points in two losses.
Santa Fe started 24-4A with three straight victories to improve to 6-0 on the season by beating Brazosport, 10-7, Texas City, 20-16, and Friendswood, 29-28. That streak was followed by back-to-back losses against Manvel, 7-3, and La Marque, 35-28.
The Indians’ offense is led by junior running back Joseph Walton, who tops 24-4A in rushing with 1,042 yards on 170 carries and 16 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Garet Davidson has thrown for 893 yards with five scores and four interceptions, and junior receiver Domingo Morales has 30 catches for 479 yards and four touchdowns. Morales had 10 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns last week against La Marque.
“Walton leads the district in rushing and is a great player,” Vanover said. “They can run and throw the ball, so our defense is going to be tested.”
The Santa Fe defense ranks second in 24-4A and is giving up only 246.9 yards a game. The Indians have only allowed 931 rushing yards in eight contests while the Wildcats have run for 2,815 yards on the season.
“In a nutshell, its the best defense against the run against the best running offense,” Vanover said. “Santa Fe could have one of the best defensive lines in the state. Our guys up front at the line of scrimmage — there is going to be some big battles in there.”
The Wildcats are on pace to have another pair of 1,000-plus yard rushers in junior quarterback Quandre Diggs (909 yards, 11 touchdowns) and senior running back Henry Josey (808 yards, 11 touchdowns). Each player ran for more than 1,100 yards last season.
Adding to Angleton ground attack are seniors Terrance Franks (466 yards, four touchdowns) and Donnie Foster (394 yards, seven touchdowns).
The Wildcat rushing machine hit a speed bump last week against Texas City when turnovers stalled drives. Vanover said avoiding those mistakes is key against a Santa Fe squad that can capitalize on miscues.
“We’re going to have to play our very best football,” Vanover said. “We believe in ourselves and out talent and what we can do, but we have to come through on the field to accomplish our goals. Every game is a big one, and we expect a lot of fight in the Indians.”
Jim Levesque is a sports writer for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0161.
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