KFDM COOP Posted September 26, 2008 Report Posted September 26, 2008 Pirates prepping for Jags, 20-4A Van Wade The Orange Leader VIDOR — VIDOR — Finding their early season magic. That’s what the 2-0 Vidor Pirates are trying to do as they prepare for their District 20-4A opener against 1-1 Beaumont Central Tuesday night. The Pirates were extremely impressive to start the season, downing both Beaumont Kelly and Houston St. Thomas. Vidor was pumping out 407.5 yards a contest and were allowing just 284.5. However, Hurricane Ike hit the area, slowing down the Pirates’ momentum. “It’s been tremendous to see the kids back,†said Vidor head coach Jeff Mathews. “This week, we’ve kinda took baby steps again. Conditioning was better than we thought it would be, but still, it takes time to get yourself all the way back.†Mathews said several key players have yet to return. “Many people don’t realize that Vidor was effected by the storm,†said Mathews. “We have several kids that live in the low-lying areas, especially those that live in Rose City. Many of those kids still have no power, no sewer. We want to get those kids back as soon as possible. We’re doing the best we can to help them out and our thoughts are certainly with them and their families.†Mathews was just happy to get the Pirates back on the practice field. “The whole month of September has been just crazy,†said Mathews. “Think about it. It’s been three weeks to the day that we’ve played a football game. Throw in the fact that we also missed almost an entire week of practice due to leaving for Hurricane Gustav. It seems like forever.†The Pirates have done most of their damage with a bruising running game behind a stout offensive line. Fullback Theron Reynolds leads the way as he’s barreled for 319 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries. Tailback Shane Pittman has 259 yards on just 24 totes while quarterback Chris Teinert has scored four rushing TDs. Defensively, the Pirates have slowed down two spread offenses in Kelly and St. Thomas and have been really strong when opponents get inside their 30. The Pirates will be playing their third straight game at home this season. The Central game will be played at Pirate Stadium Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Beaumont’s Babe Zaharias Stadium but due to the Zaharias parking being full of emergency management teams, the contest was moved to Vidor. To make things even sweeter for the Pirates, they will host Lumberton as well next Saturday, Oct. 4 to make it four home tilts in a row. “I guess we’re getting a little lucky with the schedule and all,†said Mathews, whose Pirates had a non-district road game at Hardin-Jefferson called off. “There is always hindsight involved and remember, the schedule reverses next year.†Mathews feels the Pirates will have their hands full against a swift Central squad. “Central has blistering speed every year,†said Mathews. “We traded film Thursday and they’re going to be tough. You see speed on film but you can’t emulate that in practice. We don’t have kids that 4.3 40s. We’re just going to have to stick to our assignments well and stay in front of people. We see about three teams a year with this kind of speed. That’s why it was so important for us to scrimmage West Orange-Stark earlier.†The Pirates are certainly ready to dive into 20-4A play. “This time of year, that’s what it is all about,†Mathews said. “We’re all just so happy to be back. Hopefully everything will return to some normalcy. Just getting back on the football field and watching kids play is enough to lift a lot of spirits. Rita did the same thing three years ago.â€
vidor pirate Posted September 26, 2008 Report Posted September 26, 2008 great article koop :-) he is completely right though, almost all of rose city flooded much of which is still without power
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