KICKOFF 2016
Successful district ready to re-state its case
Thursday, August 25, 2016
by Mike Forman, Advocate Sports
Victoria Advocate Sports Article | Shiner Comanche Football | Shiner Comanche Sports
The final four Class 2A, Division I teams playing in Region IV last season came from District 15-2A.
Refugio's Austin Moya, left, attempts to tackle Shiner quarterback Brandon Cerny during the 2015 season District 15-2A opener for both teams.
[ NOTE: click on photo to enlarge ]photo by Frank Tilley for The Victoria Advocate
No other district in Class 4A or below accomplished the feat.
The makeup of the district has changed slightly, but the end result could be the same.
Shiner, Refugio, Weimar and Ganado will be joined by Yorktown and Kenedy, which made the Division II playoffs last year before moving up a classification.
"It definitely could happen again," said Shiner coach Steven Cerny. "You add Yorktown to it and they have most of their squad returning. There is no doubt this is a tough district."
Shiner won the district title last season with Refugio and Weimar, finishing second and third, respectively.
Refugio defeated Shiner in the quarterfinals after defeating Weimar in the regional round.
"This district, top to bottom, has great coaching all the way across," said Refugio coach Jason Herring, who along with Cerny, Weimar's David Husmann and Ganado's Keith Wright have won state titles. "It's also got great talent."
Weimar came the closest to challenging Shiner and Refugio last season.
The Wildcats have the talent and experience to make a run at a district title.
"We've got to make that next step," Husmann said. "We have good kids. We have to have a stronger mentality and believe we have a chance."
Confidence will also be a factor for Yorktown under first-year head coach John David Caffey.
"It's a process of building to be a champion, and it takes hard work," Caffey said. "Our kids believe they can play with anybody. We have to foster that belief and play with confidence."
Cerny considers the week-to-week preparation critical for success.
"Each time you play someone they pick up something on you, just like you pick up something on them," he said. "You've got to try and find a few wrinkles that you can throw out there every now and then. At the same time, it gets a little bit tougher every year."
Refugio made it to the state final last season.
Herring expects a district team to have the opportunity to be at AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the championship game this season.
"What I like about this district is, I think first or second place or even third is going to be a real good football team that probably is going to play three or four rounds," he said. "There are a lot of great teams out there, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the state champion comes from this district."
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Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6588 or mforman@vicad.com |
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