Wentrcek’s Lions are making their third straight appearance after being blown 46-0 by second-ranked Brazosport Christian in 2006 and losing a see-saw 68-63 affair to The Woodlands Christian last year.
The Lions (5-5) look to end that bi-district skid at 2 p.m. today when they meet Amarillo Holy Cross (2-8) at Throckmorton’s Greyhound Field.
“We’re a very well-balanced team,” said Wentrcek, who led CTCS to the TAPPS Class 2A six-man semifinals in 2002 and the Division I state semifinals in 2004.
“We started playing some more difficult teams in the regular season (public-school six-man No. 2 Abbott, TAPPS Division II No. 1 Fredericksburg Heritage, TAPPS Division II No. 2 Brenham Christian) and we feel like this year we have a more experienced, well-balanced team. Hopefully this will get us over the hump of winning a bi-district game.”
And according to sixmanfootball.com, the Lions are 41-point favorites. If they prevail, they’ll face No. 3 Dickinson Pine Drive (9-0), which received a first-round bye, next week.
But Wentrcek’s team isn’t looking past the Mustangs.
“To be honest, their record is not indicative of who they are,” Wentrcek said. “They’ve played against public schools and I feel like they’re a lot better team than what they get credit for.”
Holy Cross is making its first playoff appearance and is the lowest-ranked school in the 16-team bracket. The Mustangs have four offensive and four defensive starters back from last season, including lineman Josh Frazier and quarterback/linebacker Ryan Sabala.
Freshman running back Salvado Sanchez (5-8, 170 pounds) and junior Gabe Seidlitz (5-7, 150) possess breakaway speed and pace the Mustangs’ offense.
“He’s (Sanchez) small but lightning-fast and is definitely a guy we have to contain,” Wentrcek said. “They run a lot of tight formations but they’ll spread it out occasionally. We feel like if he stop those guys, we’ll be in good shape.”
CTCS counters with an offense that averages 208 rushing yards and 38 points per game. Jeremiah Bergert has rushed for 918 yards (8.7 per carry) and 14 touchdowns and has thrown 11 TD passes, and Caleb Paschall has 622 yards (9 per carry) and 12 TDs.
“Those two guys have been great to have around together,” Wentrcek said. “They complement each other very well. One or both are usually having a good night.”
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
