Orangefield coach talks Jasper

[SETXsports Broadcaster]

Orangefield prepares for 'best winless team in state'

By JIMMY GALVAN

According to Orangefield head football coach Blake Morrison, his Bobcats will play "the best winless team in the state of Texas" this week.

Unfortunately for Bulldog fans, he's talking about Jasper as the Bobcats will visit the Bone Yard for the first time in this Friday's second district contest.

"They talk about getting that first win of the season and sometimes that is the hardest one to get," said Jasper head football coach Danny Lauve. "And right now, we are just looking for anything positive. Once that happens, there is a possibility of us getting on a roll.

"Once that happens for us, it could be trouble down the road for other teams," Lauve said.

Morrison said district opponents should throw out Jasper's 0-4 start and take a close look at the Bulldogs.

"They are a good football team," Morrison said. "They have played some tough opponents and do a great job defensively. Offensively, they have suffered a lot of bad breaks but they have a good recipe for a good team there."

Morrison said there is no chance his Bobcats would overlook an 0-4 Jasper team.

"We don't have the luxury of overlooking anybody," Morrison said. "We go into each game as if it was a determining game for us to make the playoffs.

"Jasper is good, plus we have to play them at their place," Morrison said.

Lauve sees a "sound football team" in Orangefield.

"They are a well-coached team," Lauve said. "They are not great athletes but they won't beat themselves by lining up wrong. They are going to be at the right spot at the right time."

Orangefield dropped a 35-27 decision to Silsbee in their district opener. Two Bobcat turnovers late in the fourth quarter sealed their fate.

"We had too many turnovers," Morrison said. "It was a good game but a disappointing loss. We played as well as we could offensively"

Leading the Bobcat attack this season is threeyear starter at quarterback Brett Ramsey. The Bobcats return 11 starters from last year's 4-4 squad.

"Orangefield has a chance to make things happen," Lauve said. "We're going to have to use ball control and quit making mistakes."

Mistakes like fumbling the ball in their own end zone and allowing opponents to recover the loose ball for six points.

Kirbyville's first score of the night came when a direct snap to quarterback Timiti Cauley was fumbled and recovered by Kirbyville's LeKarlis Diggles.

"It is one of those deals when you just want to start the game over," Lauve said.

Morrison believes his Bobcats will have to play a complete game to defeat Jasper.

"We have to be clicking on all cylinders on special teams, offense and defense," Morrison said. "We can't give up any big plays and move the ball offensively. We're not coming in there thinking we are going to big play anything but we need to control the ball and keep our defense off the field."

With William Ellis nursing a sore shoulder, Timiti Cauley started at quarterback against Kirbyville. Lauve said it is uncertain who will get the starting nod this week.

"We are waiting for one of those guys to step forward and hopefully this is the week for one of them to do it," Lauve said. "We don't want to continue to split time with them."

With Ellis out during the open week with a sore shoulder, Cauley received the majority of the reps in preparation for the Kirbyville game.

"We just felt better going into this game with Timiti because of everything he knew from practice," Lauve said.

Lauve said he is looking for one of his sophomore quarterbacks to step up and provide leadership and "get things done on the field"

before deciding on a final starter for the remaining contests.

Jasper is also having to deal with the loss of two starting players in Jordon Tukes and Avery Hadnot to grades. Both players are expected to return in time for the Oct. 13 matchup with Bridge City.

Morrison knows this contest between two 0-1 district teams is vital to any post-season hopes.

"It's a big game for both schools," Morrison said. "The loser of this game is going to be sitting behind the eight ball because neither of us have faced West Orange-Stark.

"We have to play our best game this week," Morrison said. "This Friday night, we have to do whatever it takes to win."