Even sitting at 1-6, Elkhart coach Sam Wells knows that his team isn’t out of it quite yet.
A win in the team’s final three games would push the Elks into the postseason, and Wells said his kids realize it.
“They know it’s time to put up or shut up,” he said. “It’s time to get it done.”
The first test of this final push is a big one, with Elkhart (1-6, 0-2) traveling to Teague (5-2, 2-0).
The Lions run a very pass-heavy offense, and are averaging almost 300 yards passing per game.
Wells is hoping Mother Nature can act as a 12th defender for the Elks, with the forecast calling for a chance of rain and wins gusting around 20 miles per hour on Friday.
“We want to run the ball most of the time. That might be a little advantage to us,” Well said. “I don’t know if Teague has played in that kind of weather before...so anything can happen.”
Even if the weather doesn’t help, Wells said he is confident in his team’s ability to stop the pass. So far this season, the Elks are holding opposing quarterbacks to around a 30 percent completion percentage.
What Elkhart doesn’t worry about is its offense, led by star junior Jeffrey Wilson, who is coming off of a 400-yard performance against Franklin.
The Elks are averaging almost 350 yards per game in 2012, with Wilson leading the area in rushing (1,619 yards) and rushing touchdowns (17).
“We feel pretty good offensively every week, for the most part. We’ve started to figure out what our kids can do well and the kids started to figure out what we’re trying to do,” Wells said. “Our offensive line is just doing a tremendous job...they’re doing a great job, so we’re excited.”
Kick-off Friday is set for 7:30 p.m. at Teague’s Lion Stadium (Loop 255, Teague, Texas 75860).
FRANKSTON at Winona
The Frankston football team is in a good position. This week, it has a chance to strengthen it even more.
The Indians travel to Winona Friday with a chance to move to 3-1 in district play and knock Winona down to 1-3. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wildcat Stadium (605 Wildcat Dr., Winona, Texas 75792).
“It’s huge for us as a program to go on the road and win a district ball game,” FHS coach Matt Nally said. “Winona is hungry. They have to win to stay in it (and) they’re going to be fighting and clawing. We’ve got to do the same. It’s going to be playoff game for both teams.”
The Indians come in with their offense firing on all cylinders. Star back Caleb Williams notched another 200-yard game in last week’s win, while quarterback Ozzie Buckner continues to develop under center.
Nally said that both facets of the offensive game are key to Frankston’s success.
“We’ve got to be able to establish the run. We’ve got to make sure we take over the line of scrimmage,” he said. “We’re a spread team and we have to balance the attack...throw the football around a little bit.”
In Winona, the Indians face a run-heavy offense based out of the wing-T. The Wildcats want to control the line of scrimmage, Nally said, and run mostly option-based runs.
“They run that old-school wing-T stuff so they’re very deceptive,” he said. “We have to make sure we’re doing our jobs, stay on our keys and our assignments and we’ll be okay.”
GRAPELAND at Alto
After getting its first district win of 2012 last Friday, the Grapeland football team now faces its biggest test.
The Sandies (2-5, 1-1) travel to Alto Friday to take on the eighth-ranked Yellowjackets (6-1, 2-0), who are coming off of a win over previously unbeaten West Sabine.
The Sandies ran for more than 250 yards in their win over Cushing Friday, with both Pat and Demetri Walker breaking the 100-yard mark.
Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Yellow Jacket Stadium (Jacket Road, Alto, Texas 75925).
———
Sports editor Justin Rains can be reached via email at jrains@palestineherald.com
Local Sports
H.S. Football Roundup: Needing wins, Elks travel to Teague
- Local Sports
-
-
H.S. Football: Elkhart's Wilson picks up 2nd offer
Elkhart running back Jeffrey Wilson isn’t even into his senior year yet, and already there are some major decisions on his plate.
The Elks star picked up his second college offer Thursday, this one from the University of North Texas. The Mean Green joins the University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) on the list of suitors for Wilson. -
H.S. Baseball: Holland named 19-A MVP
After edging Kerens for the District 19-A baseball title, the Cayuga baseball team was well-represented on the 19-A all-district team released this week.
Star pitcher Chantz Holland was named the district’s MVP after yet another standout season. The Vernon College-bound Holland was the team’s ace pitcher and also its most reliable hitter. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart relying on experience during playoff run
After being pushed to the brink of elimination in each of its first two playoff series, the Elkhart baseball team took care of business with ease in the regional quarterfinals.
The Elks defeated Warren in the best-of-three series, 2-0, by a combined score of 11-1.
But, ironically, EHS coach John Adair credited being pushed to the brink in the first round with the team’s ability to pull it all together as the Elks’ playoff run keeps going. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart's Cheatham sets national triples record
Earlier in the postseason, Elkhart star third baseman Jacob Cheatham legged out his 17th triple of the 2013 season.
It was an important one.
With the hit, Cheatham passed Steve Kopepasah and Alex Ortiz for the national record for triples in a season, according to the National Federation of High School associations. -
H.S. Athletics: Holden named new Cayuga ISD athletic director
It took just over a month for Cayuga ISD to find their new athletic director.
In a school board meeting Monday, the Cayuga school board hired current CHS assistant coach Russell Holden as its new athletic director and head football coach.
Holden, who has been on the staff at Cayuga for five years, will replace Greg Jenkins, who after three years at the helm is leaving for Tenaha. -
Middle School Athletics: Palestine selects March, April 'Character Athletes'
The Palestine Junior High girls athletic program released their Character Athletes of the Month for both March and April recently.
Eighth graders Annalise Meyers (March) and Josie Soehnge (April), and seventh graders Madison Oliva (March) and Ashley Middleton were honored with the awards, which go to student athletes that lead not only on the field or court, but also in the classroom. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland scores early and often in semifinal clincher
Just like in game one, the Grapeland Sandiettes jumped out to a big lead during Saturday's decisive Game 3 against the Joaquin.
The only difference is this time the Sandiettes never let off the gas on their way to a dominant 12-2 win over the Lady Rams in the do-or-die regional semifinal game.
With the win, Grapeland moves on to its third regional final in four years, where they will take on Beckville. It’s the third-straight year the teams will meet in the postseason. -
H.S. Baseball Playoffs: Elkhart eases past Warren in Game 2
After needing three games to end its first two playoff series this postseason, the Elkhart baseball team made sure it didn’t happen a third time.
The Elks — who are seeking a second-straight trip to the state tournament — rolled past Warren Saturday, 6-0, at Lufkin’s Morris Franks Park. The win came a night after Elkhart topped the Warriors, 5-1, to open the series on Friday. -
H.S. Softball Playoffs: Grapeland, Joaquin split games Friday
It was a tale of two games during Friday's Regional Semifinal between the Grapeland Sandiettes and Joaquin Lady Rams. The Sandiettes and Lady Rams combined for 22 runs in the Sandiettes 12-10 win in Game 1.
Game 2 was a much different as the teams wouldn't combine for 20 hits, or even 10 runs as the Lady Rams picked up a 4-2 win.
-
H.S. Football: Palestine's Owens leads strong class of area recruits
Palestine junior Jarrell Owens hasn’t ever played a significant down in a game for the Wildcats at linebacker in his football career.
Yet, the position is obviously where his future lies.
Owens is one of a handful of area juniors drawing significant college interest, and the Palestine running back/linebacker already holds an official offer from Texas Tech University. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
H.S. Football: Elkhart's Wilson picks up 2nd offer
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
Boy Scouts Mom Supports Gay Inclusiveness
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
Obama Renews Call to Close Gitmo
Obama Offers Drone Strike Defense
Raw: Heckler Interrupts Obama on Guantanamo
A Slice of Apple History Up for Grabs
