H.S. Football: Defending champion Chapel Hill visits Palestine

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September 19, 2012

H.S. Football: Defending champion Chapel Hill visits Palestine

By JUSTIN RAINS Palestine Herald-Press The Palestine Herald-Press Wed Sep 19, 2012, 07:37 PM CDT

A year ago, the Chapel Hill football team didn’t lose a game en route to a state title.

So far in 2012, the defending champion Bulldogs have yet to win one.

But, that doesn’t make them any less dangerous, as they come into Wildcat Stadium to face Palestine Friday.

“The 0-3 they have is playing an incredible schedule,” Angel said. “It’s a talented team, maybe the most talented team that we’ve played to this point. That team is going to get it together, at any moment, and they’re going to come out and be a great team.”

Chapel Hill’s three losses have come to Class 4A Lindale and Whitehouse, as well as Carthage.

Angel said he knows what a win like this could do for his program, even if Chapel Hill is 0-3 right now.

“Our kids, right now, as far as their concerned it’s the defending state champion and a team that played for the state championship the year before,” Angel said. “That’s how they’re looking at it and they’re fired up and just excited about being back at home.”

The Wildcats enter the game winners of two-straight, with a dominant rushing attack prevalent in both of the victories.

Palestine is averaging 240 yards per game on the ground in the last two games, both of which have been played without Darrius Stephens, the team’s leading rusher a season ago.

Stephens is expected back this week, as is starting offensive lineman Patrick Cross, giving Angel his full compliment of weapons heading into the game.

“(Stephens) looks good and healthy,” Angel said. “Last week was kind of a precautionary deal, early on. He felt pretty good last week but we all came to the agreement we were going to wait one more.

“He’s looked great in practice and we look forward getting him back onto the field.”

For the past two seasons, Chapel Hill has had one of the state’s most high-powered offenses and, while the numbers might not bear it out, Angel is convinced the Bulldogs have that ability once again.

Chapel Hill is only averaging a little more than 11 points per game this year, but are averaging almost 200 yards per contest on the ground. A slight contrast from the past two years, where the team was more pass-happy.

Palestine has had a lot of success stopping the run so far in 2012, giving up less than 140 yards per game on the ground.

Angel also said he likes the way his secondary is playing, for when Chapel Hill does decide to air it out.

“Every team is a different challenge,” Angel said. “The (Chapel Hill) offense is a spread but they offer a lot of different formations and motions that we’ve got to be disciplined on. We do feel good about the way the secondary is playing and especially the way they’re going after the ball.”

As far as passing game’s go, Palestine’s hasn’t been asked to do too much so far this season.

The Wildcats have yet to attempt more than 22 passes in a game, and those 22 attempts came in the opener against La Vega.

But, Angel knows that there will come a time when a team decides to take the Wildcat rushing attack out of the game, and at the moment the passing game will have to become a factor.

Based on what he’s seen from sophomore quarterback Gee Clark in his six-plus quarters of play this season, Angel is confident that the passing attack can succeed.

“Gee, at some point this year, is going to have a big breakout game. I don’t know what game it’s going to be,” Angel said. “Obviously, if we go into a ballgame and we’re having success running the ball, then our passing game is just going to be a compliment.

“There will be a time when we get into a ballgame and struggle running the ball, then that’s the game we’ll throw more and it’ll be a nice challenge for Gee and the receivers.”

CELEBRATING 100

As part of the school’s ongoing celebration of the football program’s 100th year of football play, rally towels will be given to the first 1,000 fans entering the gate at Friday’s game.

THIS WEEK IN PHS HISTORY

Sept. 29, 2000 — Palestine upsets top-ranked Crockett behind a fourth quarter comeback powered by running back John Reeves, and sealed by a last-minute interception from safety Marque McGruder.

All season long the Herald-Press will help celebrate 100 years of Palestine football with a “This Week in PHS History” tidbit. Have something you want to share? Email sports@palestineherald.com.

————

Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com

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