Through the first two games, the Eagles have allowed an average of 159 yards per game, including only 45 total rushing yards.
“These guys are good,” Wilde said referring to the Eagle defense. “I’ve been watching them every day and every night and I can’t find any holes.”
As well as Salado’s defense has performed, Hamilton’s offense has been just as superior. The Bulldogs have rushed for more than 800 yards in two games. Garrett Box, Truman Baize, Jorden Lowe and Ethan Brown have all rushed for more than 100 yards in a game.
Something has to give when the 2-0 Eagles meet the 2-0 Bulldogs tonight at Kooken Field in Hamilton.
How well Hamilton’s wishbone offense can establish a rushing attack against the Eagles is crucial, but after last season’s meeting, Salado coach Jeff Cheatham knows the Bulldog offense is versatile.
Hamilton rushed for 198 yards and threw for 171 in a 42-15 win at Salado in the schools’ first-ever meeting.
“They caught us on some big plays with their throws,” Cheatham said. “It’s a double-edged sword. Once you feel you can stop their run, they are going to throw on you. We just need to keep their big plays down.”
Salado’s offense has been steady. The Eagles average 158 rushing yards and 108 passing yards, led by senior quarterback David Rosenau. Seth Collins and Leo Galvan give the Eagles a solid 1-2 punch in the backfield.
“They’re the best team we’ve played so far and after watching them on film, they may be the best team we play all season,” said Wilde, whose team has qualified for the playoffs four straight seasons. “If we can win against Salado, we’ll feel real good about our chances the rest of the season.”
Crawford at Troy
The Troy Trojans went to Crawford last season and pulled off one of the bigger upsets of 2006.
Not only did Troy dominate Class 2A top-ranked Crawford 25-3, but the loss snapped the Pirates’ 34-game regular-season winning streak dating to 2002. With only six starters returning, first-year Crawford coach Delbert Kelm said developing team chemistry, not gaining revenge, is his squad’s intent.
“That team isn’t playing this team,” said Kelm, whose Pirates have won 45 of their last 46 regular-season games. “It’s a new year. I’m sure there is some resolve from the players who were in that game, but it’s just another game for us.
“We’re still trying to make sure we have the right 11 on the field that will play the best together. We’re not a finished product.”
Despite the big win, Troy coach Grady Rowe said he was disappointed that the momentum gained from it didn’t carry over to the rest of the Trojans’ season.
“We didn’t do a real good job of downplaying that victory,” he said. “We didn’t do a great job of focusing on district play, as you can see, because we missed the playoffs.”
Heading into Troy’s home opener tonight, the Trojans’ biggest concern is their running game. Troy rushed for only 33 yards on 23 attempts in last week’s 39-13 loss at West and just 108 yards against Whitney in the season opener.
“There’s no doubt we’ve struggled,” Rowe said. “The stats don’t lie. But we’re going to keep trying to run the football. We always make some minor changes every game and we’re going to focus on those things.”
The Pirates are hoping Scott Dent will see his first action of the season. Dent, who had seven sacks among his 96 tackles last year, has missed the first two games with a hamstring injury.
No. 2 Liberty Hill
at Gatesville
Last year’s game at Liberty Hill was one to forget for Gatesville.
An 84-10 road loss to the eventual Class 3A Division II state champion could have damaged the Hornets’ pshyche, but they didn’t let the loss ruin their season. After the Liberty Hill loss, Gatesville rebounded to win its next four games by a combined score of 148-30 and finished at 6-4 despite missing the playoffs.
With Kyle Cooper - 5A Rockwall’s offensive coordinator last season - taking over as Gatesville’s coach and only one starter back, the loss to Liberty Hill seems like a distant memory.
This year’s Panthers, powered by a Doug Allman-led rushing attack, are ranked No. 2 in the state.
Meanwhile, the Hornets (0-2) have struggled on offense. They haven’t posted more than 100 yards passing or rushing in a game through the first two weeks.
“It’s a new system,” said Cooper, whose team has switched from the multiple spread to the shotgun. “In 3A you don’t get spring ball. The kids have had to learn on the run - that coupled with the fact you bring back 21 players who have never started.
“We are working through the kinks. The defense has played well. Offensively, we are still making some young mistakes.”
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
