But if there were ever a time for the Eagles’ run against District 25-2A opponents to end, it could happen in the next three weeks. Salado closes out its regular season against three teams - Lago Vista, Academy and Rogers - that can legitimately call themselves playoff contenders.
Salado (5-2 overall, 3-0 in 25-2A) starts that stretch against Lago Vista (5-1, 1-1) at 7:30 tonight at Eagle Stadium.
To have a chance at a third straight district title, Salado knows it can’t afford to make any of the mistakes that cost the Eagles in back-to-back losses to close out non-district play.
“We’ve got the three biggest ballgames of the year, three teams that have a great chance of getting into the playoffs,” coach Jeff Cheatham said. “We’ve got to tighten our belt.”
One constant has been Salado’s smothering defense. In those 14 straight wins, the Eagles have allowed an average of seven points per game. Opponents have reached double-digits just three times.
Salado has been just as good this season, allowing 198 yards per game, including just 125 per contest on the ground.
Linebacker Patrick Prince, the team’s leading tackler, led with 16 tackles in last week’s win over Lexington, while lineman Caleb Little had three sacks. Garret Ward had two interceptions, including one for a touchdown, and teammates Jerod Lutz and John Cruz also had picks.
They’ll face a high-scoring Vikings team that’s eager to run them over en route to a share of the district lead.
Running backs Tyler Hull and Scott Kerr lead Lago Vista’s Slot-T attack that averages a district-high 38 points per game. Hull had a game-high 135 yards and four touchdowns, while Kerr was held to 17 yards in last week’s win over Academy.
The Vikings racked up 317 yards, including 205 on the ground.
This is the second Slot-T offense the Eagles have faced this season. Salado allowed 272 rushing yards but forced four fumbles in a rout of Hamilton in Week 1.
Having faced a similar offense won’t give Salado any advantage, Cheatham said.
“Everybody brings their own version,” he said. “We’ve got to be ready to play.”
Walker ready to see if Eagles are 'contenders’ or ‘pretenders’ vs. Lexington
ROGERS - Simply executing their offense is all the Rogers Eagles have to do to win.
It’s as easy as that, says first-year Rogers coach Jeff Walker.
Rogers (5-1 overall, 2-0 in District 25-2A) aims to stay atop District 25-2A against Lexington (2-4, 1-2) at 7:30 tonight at Merk Field.
“We have to hang onto the ball and do what we do,” Walker said.
And what Rogers wants to do is control possession and run the clock.
Rogers totaled 436 rushing yards and five players had at least 60 yards in the Eagles’ shutout win over Jarrell last week. Fullback E.J. Larkin had a game-high 103 yards and three touchdowns and teammate Robert Campos had 101 yards on 14 carries.
The defense has also done its part in Rogers’ four-game winning streak. The Eagles haven’t allowed a score in 10 quarters, dating to a win over Rogers in Week 3.
Lexington enters tonight’s game averaging 14 points per contest. What’s hurt it more than anything is turnovers, including five in last week’s loss to Salado.
But a big offensive line and running backs Clinton Hutson and Xavier Ward are the reason Walker wants to make sure his team hangs on to the ball as long as possible.
Huston, Lexington’s leading rusher, averages 5.2 yards per carry.
This is the first of four tests Rogers faces to close out the regular season. With games left against Lexington, Lago Vista, Salado and Academy, Walker is eager to see how his team responds to the challenge.
“Now we’re going to see who’s the contenders and who’s the pretenders and hopefully we’re a contender,” Walker said. “We’ll find out more (tonight) about ourselves.”
Rockdale hosts Pratt, No. 4 Navasota in key 24-3A duel
ROCKDALE - The first meeting between Rockdale and Navasota in 21 years will be huge as the teams fight for position in the District 24-3A race.
Rockdale (6-1, 2-1) will have its hands full trying to stop Navasota’s Dexter Pratt, who has rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his career with the Rattlers, when the two teams meet at 7:30 tonight at Tiger Stadium. The Louisiana State commitment usually gets the ball at least 20 times a game and will give the Tiger defense, which allows 180 yards rushing per game, a difficult test.
But the Rattlers (5-0, 2-0) aren’t all about rushing. Quarterback Jacolby Stokes has a good relationship with receiver Brandal Jackson and the duo combined for almost 1,000 yards last year.
The Tigers counter with a similar attack, as running backs Cois Walker and Greg Chelf lead an offense that has rushed for 1,570 yards. Like the Rattlers, the Tigers also have a decent passing game with quarterback Mark Drake to receiver Joe Sanders, who have connected for 489 yards.
While the No. 4 Rattlers are likely the favorite, the Tigers have had success at home, winning five straight and nine of their last 10. The Rattlers’ only road games this season were a 35-34 win over Henderson and a 58-3 win over Bryan Rudder.
- Marcus Hood
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
mhood@temple-telegram.com
