Sports

   The Blackcats defeated Brazosport in a tightly fought 1-point game, 28-27, that went down to the wire, as Bay City began District 12-4A-1 play here Friday night, Oct. 9.
   All of the scoring was in the second and fourth quarters, with the two teams tied 14-14 at half and the Blackcats prevailing in the see-saw fourth by stopping the Exporters last-gasp drive as the clock wound down.
   “These kids have really bought into the Blackcat Fight Never Dies mentality and the stadium was buzzing,” said Blackcat Coach Robert Jones.
   “So I want to thank the fans because I think they really helped us get over the hump Friday night and the kids play off their energy,” he added.
   Bay City (5-1, 1-0) tallied 331 yards in total offense with 217 yards rushing and 118 yards passing.

To read more, please log in or subscribe to our digital edition. 

   Van Vleck Head Coach Robert Blackmon looks for “another hard physical game” when his Leopard squad plays Tidehaven in a District 3A-2 standoff at home Friday, Oct. 16.
   The cross-county contest this year will feature both teams with close records thus far.
   Van Vleck is 3-3 and 2-0 in district, while Tidehaven also is 3-3 and 1-1 in district.
   “Our open week went well,” Blackmon said.
   “We revisited things that gave us trouble earlier this season and gave some banged up players some time off.
   Blackmon was asked whether playing an in-county team is different than other games.
   “I’m quite sure it has some ‘extra’ meaning to some,” he said. 
   “Some of our players and their players probably have hung out together and have competed against one another in other sports,” Blackmon pointed out.
   The Leopard coach noted Tidehaven strengths.

   Tidehaven Head Football Coach David Lucio expects “a great game” when his Tigers taken on the Van Vleck Leopards there Friday night. 
   “Both teams have been steadily improving throughout the season,” Lucio said.
   “It’s a huge game as far as playoffs are concerned, so I expect a great showing from both squads,” he added.
   “Our off week was good. We worked on some parts of our game that needed attention and got a head start on preparing for the Leopards,” Lucio commented. 
   “The Van Vleck game is always a big deal to our kids, as it is for their kids too. 
   “Their offense is deadly, they can score a ton of points on any given night,” Lucio said.
   “Their quarterback and running back are two of the best in the area. 
   “We have our work cut out for us in containing those two, along with the other weapons they have running around catching the ball,” the coach said. 

   After spending a week off working on fundamentals like open-field tackling and ball security Blackcat Head Coach Robert Jones used this week to focus on the Friday night opponent Brazosport.
   “We were mainly focused on us last week, but we are turning the switch on to Brazosport this week,” Jones said Monday.
   It’s Homecoming for the Blackcats this week and Friday also will be the first District 12-4A-1 game for both squads.
   “It’s going to be a great game between evenly matched teams that will come down to turnovers and the kicking game so I know we will be ready,” the coach said..
   Brazosport (2-2) and Bay City (4-1) are close in rushing yards, with the Exporters averaging 251 yards per game to the Blackcats’ 234-yard average.
   Bay City averages 131 yards passing to Brazosport’s 104 yards.
   “Their strengths are the running game with running back Paul Woodard,” Jones noted. 

   Coming off a lopsided 42-6 win over Brazos Oct. 2, Tidehaven used this week’s bye to continue doing what works and improving problem areas.
   Tidehaven (3-3, 1-1) will play at cross-county rival Van Vleck (3-3, 2-0) Friday, Oct. 16, in a game with playoff significance for both District 14-3A-2 teams.
   “Our kids have gotten better each week,” said Tiger Head Coach David Lucio.
   “We did a great job of executing on offense and did a better job of tackling on defense,” Lucio remarked about the Brazos game.
   “We still have tons to improve on, and that’s what we will concentrate on during this bye week. 
   “Logan Crow had a good night throwing the ball. He’s starting to get more comfortable at the quarterback position, I expect him to finish the year strong.”

To read more, please log in or subscribe to our digital edition. 

   ALTAIR – The Van Vleck Leopards scored on their opening possession of the night and never relinquished that lead, upending the Rice Raiders 22-14 last Friday night.
   With the road win, Van Vleck moves to 2-0 in district with a bye week before a big matchup against cross-county rival Tidehaven next week.
   This game had a different feel, compared to some of the shootouts the Leopards have been in this season. 
   The defenses set the tone on both sides throughout the evening, keeping the offenses out of the end zone for most of the night.
   Van Vleck took the opening kickoff at their own 32-yard line and slowly moved down the field. Running back Sam Bree led the rushing attack, while quarterback Payton Brown sprinkled in passes on this balanced drive. 
   Brown found receivers KaDarius Woodard and Slade Huerta on completions of 13 and 30-yards, respectively, to set the Leopards up at the Rice 1-yard line. 

   Teammates of Blackcat kicker Declan O’Neal hoisted him on their shoulders after he boomed an extra point that capped an overtime touchdown giving Bay City a hard-fought, 31-30 victory over Sealy last Friday.
   After Bay City jumped to a 21-7 halftime lead, Sealy climbed back into the game in the second half and tied the score 24-24 at the end of regulation.
   In overtime, Sealy got the ball first, scored, but missed the PAT attempt.
   Score: Sealy 30, Bay City 24.
   When it was Bay City’s turn from the 25-yard line – where play begins in overtime - Blackcat running back Davieyon Curtis ended up scoring a four-yard touchdown, boosting the score to 30-30.
   O’Neal blasted the PAT through the uprights, giving Bay City the 31-30 victory.
   The Blackcats and their fans were exuberant.

   Tidehaven had mistakes mar an otherwise strong running game in a 14-26 loss to Rice Consolidated Friday, Sept. 25.
   “We continue to be our own worst enemy,” said Head Tiger Coach David Lucio.
   “We moved the ball well on offense only to have drives end because of mistakes.”
   Tidehaven (0-1, 2-3) 271 yards rushing and 13 yards passing, but the Tigers lost three fumbles.
   Tiger quarterback Logan Crow had a team-high 126 yards rushing on 13 carries and a touchdown. 
   Kylan Sardinea had 93 rushing yards on six carries and a touchdown.
   Crow was 2 for 10 for 13 yards passing.
   Rice (1-0, 2-3) compiled 287 total yards – 231 yards rushing and 56 yards passing. Rice had two fumbles, but recovered both.
   “Once we clean up the mistakes, we will be a hard team to deal with,” Lucio said.