Sports
Tigers to face Shoemaker
Monday, 12 November 2012 by David Tuma
BHS linebacker Ryan Stinson (34) tries to make a tackle against Killeen last Friday.The Tigers host Shoemaker in the final home game of the season. On defense they run the 50 similar to what most of the teams in district run. District 8-5A is a district running first and throwing when they have to district.
Only Temple and Belton are two of the passing programs.
"The inside linebackers are very good and the best we have seen this year. The secondary plays a mixture of man coverage and some zone and they are the best tacklers we have seen. They will blitz somebody almost every play. They kept it close 21-20 in the third quarter against Midway last week. They are pretty good and I am impressed," said offensive coordinator David Brewer.
Last week into a stiff wind, the Tigers couldn't run the football between the tackles and it was a difference maker. They needed to run the ball and couldn't. With the wind they scored 39 points. Into the wind they only had a few first downs.
"We need to limit the turnovers and hit the hole harder," said Brewer.
On offense the Tigers face another ground attack team led by Johnny Jefferson 5-11, 195, 4.4. Jefferson is heading to Baylor next year and is one of the best backs in the state.
They run the spread and get the ball to Jefferson as a receiver, running back and snap it to him in the Wildcat as a quarterback. He has great hands and also lines up at receiver. At times they move a lineman in as fullback to lead block. Jefferson is the best back in district.
They have a great tightend and use him mostly as a lead blocker. They are very athletic at quarterback and wide receiver. Turnovers in the second half hurt their chances against Midway and they lost to Temple the week before in the final seconds. Jefferson touches the ball around 27 times a game.
Last week was the first time in two seasons the Tigers didn't have all-state defensive end Joe Guthrie in the game. Guthrie one of the most aggressive defenders the Tigers had recorded 19 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and seven sacks in seven games played before missing last weeks game. Tyler Santellana is second with 18.
Belton has to beat Shoemaker and Midway to have a chance to make the playoffs. The Tigers need to stop the run in both games.
It is just one of those years that little things just don't go right. For the seniors who have been on the team since sophomores, not making the playoff just isn't fair. To have a chance they have to stay in position and fill the gaps at the line of scrimmage. They had a couple of breakdowns last week and against a great back a missed assignment up front ends up six.
It is what it is. Cove, Killeen High and Temple are all 3-2 with the Tigers at 2-3. Midway and Harker Heights are in the playoffs. Temple plays Cove and Killeen the final two games.
Cove has Temple and Harker Heights left. Killeen has Ellison and Temple. The Tigers need to be tied with Cove with either Killeen or Temple losing the final two games. The Tigers need Harker Heights to beat Cove and Temple or Killeen to lose the final two games.
