Comanches defense hopes
to put heat on Chilton QB
(Texas Class A State SemiFinal Preview)
December 13, 2003
Mike Forman, Victoria Advocate Sports Writer
Victoria Advocate On-Line Article | Shiner Comanche Football | Return to Shiner Home Page
SHINER - Shiner lineman Jeremy Burchell watched a lot of tape of Chilton this week and made an interesting observation.
The Shiner Comanches hope to continue their breakout season today by beating the Chilton Pirates in a Class 1A state semifinal game in Round Rock. Advocate Photo
The Shiner Comanches hope to continue their breakout season today by beating the Chilton Pirates in a Class 1A state semifinal game in Round Rock.
"The quarterback is good," Burchell said. "But I haven't seen anybody really hit him. We're going to try and change that."
The Comanches' ability to defend against Chilton quarterback Jamar Green could be a deciding factor when the teams meet in a Class 1A state semifinal game today at 7 p.m. at the Round Rock ISD Stadium.
Shiner (13-1) will be making its first semifinal appearance since 1986 when it won the Class 2A state championship. The Pirates (13-1) have advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1972 when they won the Class D state championship.
The winner will advance to the state final against the winner of the Sunray-Windthorst game, which is set for today at 6 p.m. in Lubbock.
Chilton has won 12 straight games since dropping a 38-34 decision to Italy. Green has directed an explosive offense that has averaged over 46 points per game and has scored more than 50 points in eight games and topped 60 points three times. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior quarterback has rushed 206 times for 2,322 yards and 36 touchdowns, and completed 42 of 97 passes for 882 yards and 17 touchdowns. Green also has over 500 punt and kickoff return yards with three touchdowns.
"He's fast," Shiner coach Steve Cerny said of Green. "The thing that makes it so tough is they've got enough other threats that you have to respect. But he's the one who makes it happen."
Green rushed for 75 yards and one touchdown and passed for 105 yards and one touchdown in Chilton's 52-24 quarterfinal victory over District 23-1A foe Bosqueville. Running back Travis Landrum added 138 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
"We have to do basically the same thing we've been doing," said Shiner cornerback Casey Coleman. "We have to stop the run and contain the quarterback."
Shiner was able to shut down Falls City's running game in a 16-14 quarterfinal win, which avenged an earlier 7-0 District 30-1A loss. "I think the kids were disappointed with the way Falls City moved the ball on us the first time we played them," Cerny said. "Maybe we thought we were better than we were. But that definitely woke us up. Since that game, we've been real sharp and practiced well."
Shiner's improvement hasn't been limited to its defense. The Comanches' veer offense has also made great strides, averaging 37 points per game in the playoffs. Quarterback Garet Pustka and running backs Chris Baer and Quentin Wright have combined to rush for 3,594 yards and 52 touchdowns.
"We just have to eliminate all our turnovers and be smart in all situations," Pustka said. "We have to keep our cool. They may stop us some, but we just have to come back and figure out what we can do the next time."
Shiner has been able to make the right adjustments in each game, but Cerny is more concerned with his team's execution.
"What you do in each game is different because it's all about match- ups," he said. "But nothing is different when it comes to what we have to do. We just have to execute to perfection. We can't have fumbles or penalties. Things like that just can't happen.
"We'll approach this game like we did the West Sabine and Falls City games," Cerny added. "I'm sure we'll come out with a lot of determination. You can't be flat this week or you'll come up a game short."
NOTES: Shiner will be the home team...Tickets at the gate will be $7 for adults and $4 for students...The game will be simulcast on KTXM, 99.9 FM, and KYKM, 92.5 FM...Chilton is coached by Lucky Gamble. Gamble formerly coached at Alto and led his team to the 1995 Class 2A state final. Gamble is the father of Brian Gamble, who played at Alto and was a linebacker at Texas A&M.
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