Sports
Tigers to face Copperas Cove Friday
Wednesday, 31 October 2012 by Keith Bahlmann
Belton runningback Brandon Rhoads outruns two Temple defenders during Friday night’s 50-44 loss in Temple. The Tigers will face the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs this Friday.Belton played great for most of the game in two losses to Temple and Harker Heights. It was those four or five mistake plays they need to narrow down. You aren't going to play perfect but if Belton is to win Friday night hosting Cove they are going to have to get better in a hurry.
They have an advantage in that this year's team is better than people think. They have show glimpses of greatness but haven't put it all together for four quarters.
Copperas Cove uses the run to set up the pass. Running back Vonderaz King 6-0, 185, 4.5 is the leading rusher in district. They use a variety of formations including the spread and two back sets. They bring in an offensive lineman to play fullback as a lead blocker for King. Their tightend Girod Fluelen 6-2, 230, 4.9 is a very good receiver. Quarterback Robbie Seybold has done a good job running an offense that doesn't turn it over much. Rashaun Gibson is the Dawgs top receiver and he is one of the best in district.
They run a variety of trick plays including halfback passes and double reverses and always have a new one for Belton. "We have to stop the run. Cove wants to run the ball early and use it set up play action passes. We didn't do a good job stopping either one last week. Hats off to the fans who were so supportive to our team last week at Temple," said Tigers head coach Rodney Southern.
"The sad part of last weeks game was that somebody had to lose. We just didn't make those plays in the second half."
Belton did a pretty good job in the first half last week but over pursuit opened up Temple quarterback Zack Allen on the zone read in the middle of Belton's defense. Look for Cove to take try to take advantage of over pursuit with traps and reverses.
Belton has to stop the run first and let the secondary fend for itself. The game will be decided at the line of scrimmage with Belton's defense forcing Cove to throw the ball by stopping the run.
On defense Cove is very, very good. "It is the fastest defense we have faced this year. They all run to the ball and their defensive line can move. They are well coached and very active in their front seven. They give you lots of looks in the secondary and run a 4-2-5. Because they are very athletic they can run a lot of different formations out of the base 4-2-5. They don't have a bad athlete on defense. They play every down 100 percent and are in excellent shape," said offensive coordinator David Brewer.
Belton in their two close loses have had turnovers and penalties at crucial points. Last week they had several penalties after getting the first down and dropped a few first down passes in a game they could have one at the end.
That lateral pass at the end of last weeks game, was wide open with a receiver 20-yards behind the defense but it wasn't meant to be. That play was just one of many the Tigers could have converted to win, and that is a good thing not a bad thing. If you have multiple mistakes and still have two chances to win at the end that is a positive. Might not be what you want but it is better than being blown out and facing the second string trying to make something look better than it really is.
That is all in the past. The penalties, fumbles, great touchdown catches, great runs, interceptions returned for touchdowns. Both positive and negative it doesn't matter heading into this game.
Belton has to stay in position on defense and execute on offense. There will be a few drops and a some missed tackles but the Tigers need to limit those issues. Belton has one major advantage in that they aren't viewed as being that good. They are because this group can flat out play and they proved that last year at Midway.
The playoffs start Friday night. Belton has to bring their A game every night from here on out. The Tigers proved this year they can overcome just about anything but the one thing they need to correct is when they need a stop on defense, get it done, when they are up 10 points and have the ball ram it into the endzone. Or go home for life saying what might have been.
Cove is in a tough spot facing a good team with it's back to the wall at home. Nobody will pick the Tigers to win in those choose the winner things in the local papers but the Tigers will get it done Friday night. They will win. So they got one vote of approval and that is all they need.
