Area football previews:
Flatonia, Shiner set to square off in first ever playoff meeting
by Mark Lube, Gonzales Cannon Sports Editor
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Gonzales Cannon Article | Shiner Comanche Football
Rivals Shiner and Flatonia have only met during the regular season, when they have been in the same district.
Class 1A Division I Regional Playoff
Shiner (8-3) vs Flatonia (9-2)
Friday, November 29, 2013 @ 7:00pm
Cuero Gobbler Stadium
Friday will add a new chapter into the rivalry as the Comanches (8-3) take on the Bulldogs (9-2) at Cuero’s Gobbler Stadium in the Class 1A Division I regional playoff.
Shiner was a 14-13 winner against the Mason Punchers for the second straight year last week in the area round.
"Played hard, got a few breaks and were ahead when the game ended," Shiner head coach Steven Cerny said. "It was a physical and exciting game."
"I am proud of how our kids fought . It was a very physical game and the weather conditions caused us to have to deal with some hypothermia issues."
Flatonia was a 28-14 winner over La Villa in their area-round game.
"It was a very competitive and hard-fought game," Flatonia head coach Chris Freytag said. "We had a first-quarter turnover that cost us a likely touchdown. The kids responded well by playing solid defense from the second quarter on and our offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage in the second half. We took advantage of a La Villa turnover in the second half."
Anticipation is building in both camps for Friday’s game. "They are a very good football team and the seniors have been starting since they were sophomores back in 2011," Cerny said. "Flatonia is going to be very experienced. Our fans and kids will be up for this game."
"This is going to be an exciting game, with Shiner getting that upset over Mason," Freytag said. "We have a lot of respect for the Shiner team and their traditions. Our goal has always been to get back to where we used to be (playoffs) and this year, we took a big step."
"This is going to be a game between two evenly-matched, well-coached and well- disciplined teams. We are so similar it is scary."
Freytag said he thinks with the game being played in Cuero, it will be the most attended Flatonia-Shiner game ever.
The Bulldogs have had a lot of success as a team running the football with at least four or five different ball carriers a game including Will Bruns, Marcus Mica, Mitchell Mica, Aaron Manzano, Gus Venegas and Dalton Griffin.
Flatonia lately has executed the passing game with quarterback Bruns finding key targets Venegas and Reed Rightmer.
"Flatonia will come right at you with their run game and then try to get you with a play-action pass," Cerny said. "We will need to play physical and our secondary will have to make sure we are on our toes, ready for the pass."
Shiner’s defense will be led by senior linebacker Jacob Stafford.
Flatonia comes out in a 4-3 and loves to stunt. Look for Bruns and Marcus Mica to lead the Flatonia defense.
"Our offense will need to figure out to slow their stunting, move the football well and not have turnovers," Cerny said.
Stafford, Marcus Coleman, Tyler Patek and Chad Neubauer should all get plenty of carries.
Freytag said the 'Dog defense will need to make plays, read keys and be disciplined.
"We will especially need to tackle Jacob Stafford well because he is so strong," he said. "The Shiner defensive front seven is good so our offensive line will have to control the line of scrimmage and stay on our blocks longer. We need to win the field position battle."
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