Patriots look for first win against Dayton

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Patriots look for first win against Dayton

By Dave Rogers

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Published September 30, 2008

Jerry Stewart didn’t need a three-week vacation from coaching games to tell him what’s wrong with the Dayton offense.

“Against Friendswood, we only got the ball in A.J. Dugat’s hands seven times,†the Dayton High football coach said, referring to a 42-21 loss way back on Sept. 5, the last time the Broncos played.

“We’re not going to win if he’s not getting it 15 times. “He’s going to get the ball one way or another, even if we have to snap it to him.

“He’s the best Friday night ballplayer around here, and I watched Saturday, and there ain’t none on Saturday any better than him. There’s some good people playing (in college on Saturday), but he’s right there with them.

“We’ve got to show he’s the best Friday night player by getting him the ball.â€

It will be up to Goose Creek Memorial’s defense to a) keep the ball from Dugat; and tackle him when he gets it.

The test comes up tonight at 7 p.m. when the Patriots host Dugat and his Bronco teammates at Stallworth Stadium.

For both teams, it’s the District 19-4A opener and the first game since Sept. 5, before Hurricane Ike caused games to be canceled or postponed the past three weekends.

Memorial coach Bret Boyd has plenty of time to study the Broncos.

“Not many people have stopped (Dugat) much. Everything we’re doing is on defense will be very aware of him,†Boyd said.

“You can’t say you’re going to double cover him because they put him in various situations. You just have to be aware of where he is, because he’ll be around the ball a lot of times.â€

Dugat has caught 17 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns for the 1-1 Broncos, who fell out of the state’s Top Ten. Quarterback Cody Green has passed for 572 yards and five scores.

“They haven’t run the ball much,†Boyd noted. “They’re very talented. Dugat and the quarterback, Green, make them go. They have others that are talented, but if those two are on,

you’re in for a long night.â€

The Patriots are 0-2 and looking for their school’s first-ever football win. They fell hard to Pearland Dawson, 54-14, in their last game with turnovers playing a big part.

While Boyd reported that all his varsity players returned from the Hurricane Ike evacuation, Stewart said he’d lost two more starters off a seriously depleted defense. Their houses were hit by falling trees and are unlivable, forcing the players and their families to move out of the district.

Other 19-4A games tonight include: Barbers Hill at C.E. King and Crosby at Kingwood Park.

Tonight’s games throughout 19-4A were originally scheduled for last weekend, but were delayed at a time when no one knew when area schools would get electricity and resume classes. District teams will play again Saturday night.

Barbers Hill (0-2) at C.E. King (1-1), 7 p.m. today

“C.E. King is a talented football team. They have some good skill players,†Barbers Hill coach Don Price said. “We have to come out, try to execute, not turn the ball over and don’t give up big plays.

“Those are the basic things you try to work on. We just haven’t played in a while.â€

In pre-Ike losses to 2007 playoff teams Port Neches-Groves and Lumberton, Price’s Eagles averaged less than 200 yards per game on offense, with quarterback Tony Carmona picking up 75 percent of that running or passing.

“We just need to be more consistent to execute on offense and defense,†the coach said. “We’re not a real good football team right now.â€

Directions to C.E. King’s Crenshaw Stadium: Take Beltway 8 north to U.S. 90, go left (west on 90) approximately 2 miles; go right (north) on C.E. King Parkway approximately 1 mile.

Crosby (0-2) at Kingwood Park (1-1), 7 p.m. today

Like Goose Creek Memorial, Kingwood Park is playing this year without a senior class. But the Panthers did play together as a junior varsity team last year and they opened this season with a win over Houston Sterling before losing to Magnolia West.

Crosby lost to Waco University High 14-7 and to Port Neches-Groves 28-27.

The last one hurt, because the Cougars had led 14-0 at halftime.

“We didn’t quite have our mind right in the second half,†coach Kevin Flanigan said. “Still, we scored with 30 seconds left and had an extra point blocked.

“We had the chances. We just didn’t take care of business. I think we were making some good progress before we left (for Ike). Hopefully, they’ll continue where they left off.â€

Directions to Humble ISD’s Turner Stadium: Take Beltway 8 north to Wilson Road. Turn right, stay on Wilson past Will Clayton Blvd. The school is about another block, on the right.