The only problem was, nobody told Caldwell.
But there's still a lot on the line when the No. 10-ranked Rockdale Tigers (7-0 overall, 3-0 in 24-3A) play the Navasota Rattlers (5-1, 1-1) at 7:30 tonight at Rattler Stadium.
"Just because we are 7-0 and 3-0 in district, it doesn't mean anything," Rockdale coach Jeff Miller said. "And it doesn't mean anything that they are 1-1. They can still win district; we can still miss the playoffs."
The Rattlers seemed like a team with a good shot at contending for a state title until last week's 14-0 loss to Caldwell, the first shutout the Rattlers have suffered since 2006. They were ranked No. 5 in the state and had a 16-game regular-season winning streak.
But a sloppy field in Caldwell helped the Hornets pull off the upset.
"Caldwell played an outstanding ballgame," Navasota coach Lee Fedora said, adding that the field conditions shouldn't have been a factor. "We've dealt with tough field conditions before. We were just talking this morning that it seems every week we get in a rainstorm. We aren't complaining about the rain, because we all know we need it, but it just seems to come on our football nights."
That's just one of the things that's made Navasota football odd recently. Tonight's game, despite being the Rattlers' seventh, is only their second home game, and they only have three scheduled.
"It's been a big challenge," former Rogers coach Fedora said of the road-heavy schedule. "But the kids have responded well. The kids are excited to be at home. It's been a long time since we've gotten beat at home."
This year it was the road-heavy schedule and last year it was Hurricane Rita. When Rita hit, the entire team lost power, and for some time the whereabouts of some of the team members were unknown because of the evacuation.
Despite having to cancel a game, the Rattlers got right back to work and practice, realizing that football was one thing the community needed more than ever, if only to return to a sense of normalcy.
"The last few years have really been weird in high school football," Fedora said. "This team, like the community, kind of just picks each other up."
Now the challenge for the Rattlers is playing the Tigers, who are allowing just eight points per game and likely are the favorites after entering the AP Top 10 for the first time this year.
But Miller discounts that.
"(The ranking) hasn't even been mentioned," he said. "But it has been a long time, so it's nice to be recognized by some people. But it sure doesn't impress Navasota any. They are an excellent football team and them being beat by Caldwell, all it does is make them a bit ticked."
Quarterback Kye Hildreth, who is 44-of-68 passing for 695 yards and has 634 yards rushing on 112 carries, leads the Rattlers' spread offense.
"He's a tremendous athlete," Miller said. "They put a lot of pressure on him to do a lot of things. He's a good dual-threat quarterback."
He could have a difficult time moving against the Tigers, though, who have allowed just 179.1 yards per game, second-best in the area.
Navasota's defense is solid as well, allowing just 10.3 points per game. Rockdale shouldn't find that a big issue, having scored fewer than 10 points in three of its wins.
"They will put points on the board," Miller said of Navasota. "We have to contain the pass and get them to run. We think if we can force the run we should be fine."
Rockdale averages 358.1 yards per game, primarily on the ground. Greg Chelf has 601 yards and four scores on 91 carries and Daniel Brooks has 591 yards and eight scores on 66 carries.
"They have an outstanding defense," Fedora said of Rockdale. "They don't always put a lot of points on the board, but they find ways to win, and that's the sign of an outstanding ballclub. We are excited about the challenge."
mhood@temple-telegram.com
