Area football previews:
Shiner (7-3) vs. Mason (8-1) in Leander
by Mark Lube, Gonzales Cannon Sports Editor
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Gonzales Cannon Article | Shiner Comanche Football
It’s playoff time and that can mean just one thing — it’s time for Shiner to play Mason.
Class 1A Division I Area Playoff
Shiner (7-3) vs Mason (8-1)
Friday, November 22, 2013 @ 7:30pm
Leander Bible Stadium
The two clubs have met in the playoffs the last several years in a row. The fourth straight playoff meeting will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Leander Bible Stadium.
In 2011, Mason won 55-7 in the state quarterfinals on their way to the state title and in 2010, the Punchers dispatched Shiner in regional finals, 28-21. The Comanches ended the two-game losing streak to Mason last year with a 21-3 win in the state quarterfinals, placing them one win away from playing for the Class 1A Division I state title.
The Comanches opened the 2013 campaign with a 45-14 win over Santa Maria last week.
"We had the opportunity to rest some of our starters and get the backups some experience," Comanches head coach Steven Cerny said. "We are hoping that experience will help in this week’s game against Mason."
The Punchers, winners of District 14-A, had a bye week to open the playoffs.
"Mason’s team is very similar to last year’s," Cerny said. "They are physical. I think they are similar to Ganado, with their big linemen."
The Puncher offense is multiple, using a lot of I-formations.
"They use a lot of bumps and shifts," Cerny said.
Mason’s strength on offense is their offensive line, led by Drigo Martinez, Kyle Zavala and Hector Medina. Quarterback Elliot Bibb returns from last year to again lead the Puncher offense and gets help from running backs Luis Castillo and Raul Filquero.
"Mason is more of a run offense these days but can throw if they need to," Cerny said. "Our defense needs to prevent big plays and make them drive the field as well as get some turnovers."
Mason has shown lots of looks on defense including the five-man and four-man fronts, split, 5-3 and 5-2.
Cerny said the strength is the defensive line with several players tipping the scales around 250 or 260.
"The play of our offensive line will be key and it has been our strength all year," he said. "We are bigger than we were last year. We are a little overmatched against Mason but I feel we are quicker."
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