Cardinals face Warriors in semifinals
by Jason Chlapek, Gonzales Inquirer Sports
Friday, November 25, 2011
Gonzales Inquirer Article | St. Paul Cardinal Football | Return to Shiner Home Page
SHINER - There are two winnings streaks at stake Saturday evening when The Woodlands Christian and St. Paul football teams square off.
The Warriors have won their last six games after a 2-4 start, while the Cardinals have won five in a row dating back to a 42-19 loss to Brazos Christian on Oct. 8.
But after Saturday, only one team will get to continue its winning streak, while the other will put up the pads and start playing basketball.
St. Paul (10-2) and TWC (8-4) will meet in a TAPPS Division IV state semifinal contest at 7 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Stadium in Giddings. While the Cardinals are the defending DIV state champions, coach Paul Johnston isn't making his reservations for Wildcat Stadium in Temple - the site of the DIV title game - just yet.
"They've got it going on," Johnston said. "Their quarterback is the key to their offense. He has a cannon for an arm and is quick and elusive. We have to find a way to contain him."
Just like Garland Christian a week ago, TWC operates out of the spread.
The Warriors' top weapon - like Garland Christian - is their quarterback.
Todd Eaglin has thrown for 3,364 yards and 36 touchdowns and rushed for 876 yards and 15 scores. He leads the team in both rushing and passing.
Eaglin's favorite target is Cray Noah, who has 51 receptions for 1,048 yards and 12 touchdowns. Other top receivers for TWC include Justin Jeggle (35 catches, 680 yards, 8 TDs), James Bento (32-662, 8 TDs) and Bob Sievert (23-304, 2 TDs).
Johnston said that the Warriors are more of a traditional four-wide receiver spread with either two receivers on each side, or trips on one side and one on the other.
He also said they have operated out of five-wide formations as well.
TWC bases out of a 4-2-5, cover-3 look on defense. Johnston said the Warriors also have lined up in man-to-man coverage before.
TWC comes into Saturday's game with a 33-28 victory over Muenster Sacred Heart. Prior to last week's win, the Warriors won the five previous games by 18 points or more.
St. Paul reached the state semifinals with a 72-63 win over Garland Christian last Friday. The Cardinals were able to pull off the victory despite being outgained offensively, 758-619.
"Forcing seven turnovers last week was huge," Johnston said. "We needed those turnovers."
Not only did St. Paul intercept five passes and force a pair of fumbles, it also ran for 387 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Cardinals have a balanced offensive attack with 2,216 yards passing and 2,198 rushing.
The winner of Saturday's semifinal will face either Brazos Christian or Hallettsville Sacred Heart in the DIV state championship game Dec. 3 in Temple. Brazos Christian and Sacred Heart meet at 1 p.m. Saturday in Giddings.
While TWC won the District 4-IV championship outright, St. Paul shared the District 3-IV championship with Brazos Christian and Sacred Heart. If the Cardinals win, the D-IV state championship game will be an all-District 3 battle.
"It would be good to have a rematch with Brazos Christian or Sacred Heart for the state title," Johnston said. "I just hope we can live up to our end of the deal."
© Copyright
BaerCom - Shiner, Texas 2011