October 2, 2008

’Cats use open week to work on defense

By SCOTT TYLER

H-P Sports Editor

After a battle-tested five weeks of football, the Palestine Wildcats are able to step back this week and focus on themselves.

The Wildcats, who have started the season 1-4 and have lost four straight, have an open week and the focus has been on improving the changes that have been made.

“We are working on the fundamentals and getting sound in all aspects of the game,” Palestine head coach Booker Bowie said. “We are working on the little things so when district gets here, we will be an improved team.”

One of the main focuses for Palestine this week has been on the defensive side of the ball. Two weeks ago, the Wildcats made nearly a complete change on defense going to a cover-two look and making major changes in personnel.

“This week gives us a chance to work on things that we changed after the third week,” Bowie said.

The week off also has given the Wildcats a chance to take it a little easier during practice, allowing players to heal and get healthier.

Not having a game Friday night will give the Wildcat varsity coaches an opportunity to do something they don’t do much of — scout their next opponent live.

Instead of just getting film on Fairfield, the Palestine coaches will get a chance to see Fairfield Friday night as the Eagles host Rusk.

“When you see a team live, you get to see the team’s intensity and desire to win,” Bowie said. “Those are things you really cannot pick up on film.”

The Wildcats headed into their bye week after having some ups and downs during the first five games of the season.

Palestine opened the season with a 58-35 win over Rusk but then the Wildcats lost four straight, including allowing 40-plus points to Navasota, Van and Jacksonville.

Despite the struggles the Wildcats had the last four weeks, Bowie believes the schedule his team plays will only help come time for district.

“The first five weeks have been beneficial,” Bowie said. “It has not been as productive as we wanted it to be, but the teams we played will give us a better opportunity when we get into district.

“The five games have helped us recognize our strengths and weaknesses.”

Bowie said the morale of the team has been good even though the Wildcats have not gotten into the win column since the first week of the season.

“The kids have a great attitude,” Bowie said. “They know the quality of teams we played and they like the changes we have made.

“We have not had a bad workout and the tempo has been up and we are excited about where we are going.”

After the open week, Palestine starts District 20-3A play next week at home against Fairfield. The Wildcats will have two more district homes games against Brownsboro (Oct. 24) and Athens (Oct. 31). Palestine’s two road district games are at Crockett (Oct. 10) and the season-finale at Westwood (Nov. 7).

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Scott Tyler may be contacted via e-mail at styler@palestineherald.com

WILDCAT STATISTICS

Team

Offense

First Downs: 64

Rushes-Yards-Avg: 176-988-5.6

Passing Yards: 537

Total Yards: 1,525

Comp-Att-Int: 36-86-8

Fumbles-Lost: 10-8

Penalties-Yards: 32-294

Opponents

First Downs: 71

Rushing-Yards-Avg: 196-1,064-5.4

Passing Yards: 889

Total Yards: 1,953

Comp-Att-Int: 39-63-3

Fumbles-Lost: 15-9

Penalties-Yards: 25-194

Individual Stats

Offense

Rushing

Att-Yards-Avg-TD

Olin Terry, 79-457-5.78-8; Jamie Jones, 70-360-5.14-4; E.J. Spurlock, 5-76-15.2-1; Xavier Davis, 9-41-4.56-1; Devin Venoy, 5-35-7.00-0; Terrance Simon, 7-19-2.71-0; Jermaine McMorris, 1-0-0-0.

Passing

Comp-Att-Yards-Yards/Att-TD

Olin Terry, 36-86-8-537-6.24-4.

Receiving

Catches-Yards-Avg.-TD

E.J. Spurlock, 17-298-17.5-4; Devin Venoy, 10-146-14.6-0; Darrius Simmons, 4-29-7.25-0; Darion Turner, Eric Robertson, 3-27-9.0-0; 1-24-24.0-0; Coby Anderson, 1-13-13.0-0.

Scoring

Olin Terry, 48 (8 rushing TDs); E.J. Spurlock, 30 (4 receiving TDs, 1 rushing TD); Jamie Jones, 24 (4 rushing TDs); Terrance Simon, 18 (2 kickoff return for TD, 1 punt return for TD); Logan Atkinson, 14 (14 PAT); Xavier Davis, 6 (1 rushing TD); Devin Venoy, 2 (1 conversion).

Defense

Tackles (Solo-Assist)

Daniel Hinson, 31 (16-15); Kyle Cargill, 29 (23-6); Sam Wren, 26 (17-9); Asa Davidson, 26 (20-6); Terrance Simon, 25 (20-5); E.J. Spurlock, 21 (19-2); Michael Butler, 15 (15-3); Jermaine McMorris, 14 (9-5); Michael Smith, 12 (8-4); Darion Turner, 12 (7-5); Darrius Simmons, 12 (9-3); Mikal Garcia, 6 (5-1); Aaron Asberry, 6 (6-0); Quincy Howard, 6 (6-0); Eric Roberston, 4 (2-2); Xavier Davis, 3 (3-0); Jermaine Black, 3 (0-3); Dave Simpson, 3 (3-1); Zach McEwen, 3 (2-1); Casey Henry, 3 (2-1); Carlos Bryant, 3 (3-0); Lance Cook, 2 (1-1); Logan Luce, 2 (1-1); Rajhad White, 1 (1-0); Devin Venoy, 2 (2-0).

Interceptions

E.J. Spurlock, 1; Michael Smith, 1; Darrius Simmons, 1.

Sacks

Kyle Cargill, 3; Terrance Simon, 2; Sam Wren, 1; Asa Davidson, 1.

Fumble Recoveries

Asa Davidson, 2; Kyle Cargill, 1; Aaron Asberry, 1; Daniel Hinson, 1.

Forced Fumbles

Sam Wren, 2; Michael Smith, 2; Kyle Cargill, 2; E.J. Spurlock, 1.