The Vidor Pirates have won three of their first four games and are 2-0 in district. Coach Jeff Mathews is obviously pleased with the Pirates’ performance thus far. He admits he would like to be undefeated, but the two district wins are vital. Mathews adds that Vidor has shown improve each week and stresses to the Pirates the necessity that they continue to do that.
This week is a huge challenge for Vidor as it goes to Nederland to play the Bulldogs. Mathews indicates Bulldog Offensive Coordinator Monte Barrow has been forced to juggle his players on offense because of injuries at quarterback and tailback during which time the Bulldogs won their last two district games.
Devon Simmons is questionable at tailback this week against the Pirates, but last week his backup got the job done in a Nederland win over Baytown Lee. The Bulldogs have a great receiver in Conner Perkins and found ways to get the ball to him despite using a sophomore at quarterback. “It’s going to be a big test for our defense,” Mathews confesses.
Coach Mathews respects the job Nederland’s Defensive Coordinator Delbert Spell does in trying to stop the Pirates’ offense. The Bulldogs under Spell try to take away Vidor’s three best plays leaving the Pirates to have to operate with their fourth or fifth favorite plays and to the throw the football instead of running it like Vidor prefers to do.
The “Dog House” in Nederland has not been a good place to play for the Pirates over the years. In his 24 years at Vidor, Mathews says Vidor has never won in Nederland. In fact he says it has been 35 years since the Pirates have won in the Bulldogs’ house. Mathews agrees, “It’s going to be a great challenge and it’s an opportunity to end that streak.”
Friday night will find Vidor and Nederland both looking to go 3-0 in District 22-5A. Coach Mathews says this will be the biggest game of the year, at least for now. Mathews is telling the players one week at time and that this is the most important game of the season, but he will be telling them the same thing next week too. Mathews does not expect a shutout, or 40 points scored like the last three weeks, it’s going to be a nip and tuck contest during which the team that can take a hit and get back up to keep fighting will be the winner.
It will be a fight Friday night in Nederland when the Vidor Pirates battle the Bulldogs. The kickoff for the game is at 7:00 PM.
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