Last week against Splendora, the Vidor Pirates showed they were a team that could handle adversity as they turned the ball over five times and still beat Splendora 30-20 to remain undefeated.
Splendora came into the game with the top offense in the district averaging 400 yards per game. The Pirates held them to their lowest point total of the season.
“We showed a lot of rust after a week off,” said Head Coach Jeff Mathews. “We woke up in the second half and were able to pull out the win so I was happy with that. But we won’t be able to do that this week and get away with it.”
The Pirates travel to Little Cypress-Mauriceville Friday in the KOGT Game of the Week. The pregame will begin at 6pm and kickoff is at 7pm from Battlin’ Bear Stadium. The Bears took Huffman off the unbeaten list last week.
“I’ve been here a while and can’t remember a game against LCM having this much on the line,” Mathews said. Both teams are fighting for a district title and the winner will be the front runner.
“I have a lot of respect for how Coach Peevey and his other coaches have turned that program around,” Mathews said. “We watch film and try to exploit the other teams weak spots and I haven’t found any. They’ve improved every week.”
Don’t let Mathews’ bragging of the Bears make you forget the Pirates and their 5-0 start which includes a wild 51-48 opening week win over Silsbee and an 8-7 defensive win over Jasper.
The Pirates come in with the districts second best offense and defense. The offense is lead by quarterback Eli Simmons. “He is our leader,” Mathews said. “We feed off his energy.”
Three of the top seven rushers in the district wear the black and gold. Ricky Gall, Layne Wilhelm, and Weston Sepulvado lead the Slot-T attack. However Gall may be a “no-go” for this week. “He suffered an injury and I’d be surprised if he can go but we’ll make a decision Thursday,” Mathews said.
Defensively the Pirates leading tackler is linebacker Jarrett Odom. Mathews said, “He’s a good one.” Jordan Smith, the reigning district Defensive MVP, anchors the defensive line. And although he receives constant double and sometimes triple teams, he’s still around the ball at all times.
The Pirates facing the Bears is always circled on the calendar as a county rivalry game. But this time there’s more than just county pride on the line.
-Gary Stelly, KOGT-
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2021 Schedule
Aug. 27 – Silsbee 51-48
Sept. 3 – Bellaire Episcopal 24-7
Sept. 10 – at Brazosport 39-29
Sept. 17 – Bay City canceled
Sept. 24 – Jasper 8-7
Oct. 1 – OPEN
Oct. 8 – at Splendora 30-20
Oct. 15 – at LCM
Oct. 22 – Livingston
Oct. 29 – at Huffman
Nov. 5 – Lumberton
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