Injury-plagued Comanches staying focused
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Mike Forman, Victoria Advocate Sports Writer
Victoria Advocate On-Line Article | Shiner Comanche Football | Return to Shiner Home Page
Shiner vs. Brackettville
Class 1A, Division I Area Playoff
Today, 6:00pm, Canyon Cougar Stadium, New Braunfels
The Shiner coaching staff celebrated getting through its Class 1A, Division I bi- district game against Ben Bolt without any injuries almost as much as its 27-0 win.
Shiner head coach Steven Cerny, left, talks with defensive coordinator Billy Turek. Cerny and Turek will lead their Comanches into a Class 1A regional playoff game today against Brackettville at 6 p.m. at New Braunfels Canyon. T.C. Baker, Advocate Staff Photographer
But the Comanches' good fortune didn't last for long. Linebacker Chase Veit chipped a bone in his elbow while at school Tuesday and underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday. The same day Veit was hurt, defensive tackle Zach Morkovsky had his shoulder pop out of socket during practice and had to be held out of workouts the rest of the week.
"We were so happy after last Friday night's game," Shiner coach Steven Cerny said. "We felt like we finally gotten to a point where we knew where everybody needed to be. But it's just been one of those years."
Shiner (7-4) has battled through the injuries and advanced to today's 6 p.m. regional playoff game against Brackettville (6-4) at New Braunfels Canyon.
"We have to deal with it," Cerny said. "That's the thing we've been preaching all along. You can't let something like that set you back. Things happen. When they do, you have to dig deeper, try harder and hope for the best. That's why you have everybody on the team. When somebody goes down, it's time for someone else to step up and see what he can do. That's why we work two kids at every position. We've been through things over and over in practice. It's just a matter of getting over the nerves and doing it in the game."
Sophomore Matthew Hibbs made his first varsity start at quarterback a successful one by rushing for 121 yards and one touchdown in last week's win over Ben Bolt.
"Matthew picked right up where he left off," Cerny said of Hibbs, who took over at quarterback when Kyle Condel broke his wrist against Flatonia and led the Comanches to a 42-7 win. "He's a true veer quarterback and we ran a lot of midline. Dexter (Mayberry) has been doing a real good job of hitting the hole. He's healthy now and that's a big thing."
Shiner and Brackettville met in the 2004 quarterfinals and the Comanches claimed a 21-7 win before going on to win the state championship. The Tigers had a bye in the bi-district round.
"I think it helps to have a week off to prepare for a team but at the same time it still hurts you," Cerny said. "I think the experience you get in that first playoff game is real important. I don't care what anybody says, it's different. You could see it in our kids' eyes. They had a different look and they knew it was a playoff game."
Shiner opened the season with three straight losses to Class 2A teams but has won seven of its last eight games. The Comanches have surrendered a total of 34 points in their last eight games and are hoping for a similar defensive performance against Brackettville.
"I think we're very evenly matched," Cerny said. "They just do a real good job with their wing-T and slot-T offense. You've got to play assignment football because they do a good job of carrying out their fakes. You have to be where the ball is and make the tackle."
NOTES: The game will be broadcast on KYKM, 92.5 FM...The Shiner-Brackettville winner will play the winner of Friday night's Iola-Granger game in the quarterfinal round.
Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-580-6588, or by e-mail at mforman@vicad.com.
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