The Bridge City Cardinals are in the playoffs. Winning the final two games of the district schedule earned the Cardinals a place in the post season.
Coach Allen DeShazo recapped Bridge City’s come from behind 24-20 win against Splendora that put the Cardinals in the playoffs. Going into the game the odds were not good for the Cardinals as they not only needed a victory, but also for Lumberton to beat Little Cypress-Mauriceville.
Neither game was going the way the Cardinals wanted it initially. Bridge City rallied behind backup quarterback Colby Collins and a sensational touchdown run by Rylan Ply to take the lead in its game. Lumberton scored late to tie the Bears and then won in overtime. DeShazo praised the Cardinals, “They got what they wanted out of it, an extra week of football.”
The Cardinals play the Navasota Rattlers in the first round of the playoffs. The Rattlers line up in a two-back Gun Formation or sometimes with four wide outs. The Navasota offense is wide open and balanced.
The Rattlers were the district champs and our led by their quarterback Zack Dyer on offense according to DeShazo. Dyer throws the ball well and is a very capable runner too.
The offensive line is big. The Rattlers line up toe-to-toe and try to run the ball right at opposing defenses. Jordan Jefferson a Texas A&M commit weighs in at 315 pounds. He is flanked by Alfredo Villasenor who is another standout.
Skilled players for the Rattlers are fast and fairly abundant. Toping the list is wide receiver La’Darrin Thomas. He is the big play receiver Dyer will look to the throw the ball. Darick Henderson is a bit of a bull at running back. Another good receiver to watch is Cal Acosta. “For us stay it’s just like we’ve been doing all week stay on our keys, follow our rules, and show up ready to play,” DeShazo recommended.
Bridge City has won its last two games with starting quarterback Ethan Oceguera out with an ankle injury. Collins has been superb as his replacement. Coach DeShazo discussed who may start against the tough Navasota defense. Oceguera is still rehabing and is day-to-day, but should be ready to start Friday which would be huge. If not, DeShazo is confident Collins can handle the job like he did in the last two contests.
Defensively the Rattlers will bounce from a three-man front to a four-man front. Like the offensive line Navasota is big up front on defense.
The Rattlers are very athletic in the defensive secondary with Thomas joined there by Keith Steptoe who is a strong tackler and used his speed for two defensive touchdowns last season. Henderson also plays linebacker.
The Cardinals will look to run the ball first and if Navasota loads the box to stop the run then throw it. DeShazo advised, “For us it’s just block them up front and let our backs do their thing.”
Playing their best ball of the season the Cardinals will have a good test this week against Navasota. DeShazo provided the keys for Bridge City to extend the season at least one more week. Like it has been all year the Cardinals need to start fast and take care of the football.
A positive aspect from the consecutive wins for Bridge City is each player beginning to do their job and not trying to do somebody else’s assignment. “If we keep doing our jobs, limit our mistakes, and start fast we should be okay,” DeShazo concluded.
The Bi-District Round of the state playoffs pits the district champion of one district against the fourth place team of the next district. The Bridge City Cardinals and the Navasota Rattlers who are former district opponents from a couple of seasons ago play Friday night at 7:00 in Huffman.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
-photo by Allen Nation, KOGT-
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