For the second year in a row, Cuero and Crystal City will play in the area round. This time, Crystal City is hoping to play better and come away with the win.
After last years 48-0 loss, the Javelinas went back to Crystal City and began to refocus. Javelina coach David Lopez compares it to the Atlanta Falcons commercial that says losing is how you learn to truly become a champion.
Back in 2016, his team was walking around with heads held high, thinking they were a great team. This year, they know it after the hard work poured into this season because of that loss.
“They worked their butts off,” Lopez said. “The payoff has occurred and our kids don’t back down. We’re not going to compete, we’re going to try to win. That’s everyone’s goal and no one plans to lose. All the weapons they have? We’ve got weapons too. That game focused our offseason.”
Crystal City has two running backs with 1,000 yards on the ground. Austin Sanchez and David Petino have helped the Javelinas get to more than 2,400 yards.
What coach Lopez calls his ‘one-two’ punch also play on defense. He says he actually does that because of Cuero. He says with their speed, people may break one or two, but no one will outrun them.
But sophomore quarterback John Saucedo is also having a great year. The sophomore has impressed his coach and in this run-first offense, has become the first quarterback in Crystal City since 1953 to have a team win nine games.
Last year, the Javelinas tried to milk the clock and it didn’t end up working for them. This year, they will still work on keeping Cuero off the field but want to make sure no drives end in scoring. Lopez says his team is ready for this, because to be the best, you have to beat the best.
“That’s what you’re in it for,” Lopez said. “I always make the connection to boxing. You don’t want to just be a contender, you want to eventually fight the champion. They’re (Cuero) ranked No. 1 right now and what better way to pave the way to the championship by knocking off the opponent that is capable to win the championship.”
CUERO
The Gobblers from Cuero are undefeated for a reason. Although they don’t care about the record, they know it too. They are good. Led by Jodan Whittington, a five-star athlete, this team seems to have answers at every position.
Coach Travis Reeve says his team is better than just one player. In fact, he credits Whittington to being more than just a stat-grabber. Because of what Whittington can do, the rest of his guys have grown.
He also knows his defense is going to have a hard time. The Crystal City run game is strong, and having to focus on two guys who get about equal carries will make it harder than ever.
That’s a key to success on offense,” Reeve said. “When you have more than one guy the defense can key on, it just makes it tougher. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket in trying to stop one person. The more balanced you are with what you do and who you do it with makes it tougher for defenses to defend you.”
Time of possession and turnovers will be the turning point in this matchup. Crystal City may have the time of possession under wraps, if it can score. But turnovers have been hard to come by when playing Cuero, who’s quarterback has thrown two interceptions all year.
A 48-0 game will be unlikely this year, as both are ready. Both teams know what it takes to get to this point and possibly even further, playing like it’s your last game.
“I think it’s important to remember that it only takes one bad night and your season is over,” Reeve said. “We have to go into practice and the game that we’re fighting for our lives and so is the team across from us.”
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