The 15-4A DI playoff race is still a jumble.
Beeville Jones’ game at La Vernia Friday night may add clarity to the playoff picture in the district.
Or not.
La Vernia (6-2, 3-0 in 15-4A-I, #8 in 15-4A-Region IV in the Padilla Poll) has clinched their 26th consecutive playoff berth, and can clinch the top seed in the district with a victory.
Beeville Jones (5-3, 2-1 in 15-4A-I, #10 in 15-4A-Region IV in the Padilla Poll) clinches a playoff berth with a win, and earns the district’s top seed with victories at La Vernia and the following week over Pleasanton.
Behind Beeville Jones, Floresville, Pleasanton, Calhoun, and Rockport-Fulton are tied for third at 1-2 in district. A Beeville Jones win would leave these four schools scrambling for the last two playoff berths. A Trojans’ loss would drop them into the logjam and give them an urgent interest in the tiebreakers listed in the district minutes and in mobile phone apps which update high school football scores.
La Vernia, under first year head coach Brad Molder, has won four straight games since a 1-2 start, including non-district wins over Navarro (40-14) and Sinton (28-27.) The Bears offense is led, amazingly enough, by a wide receiver, Colten Schmid. Schmid’s 43 catches for 752 yards and 9 touchdowns would be impressive in any context, but this is especially true given that in doing so he’s supplied 71% of the Bears’ passing yards and 32% of their total offense.
Beeville Jones (which also has a win against Sinton, 20-17) is coached by Chris Soza, who made his name with a run-heavy slot-T offense. With his son Eric serving as offensive coordinator, his teams have opened up the offense – a little bit. 69% of the Trojans’ plays are still runs. The diversity is truly seen in the fact that 27 different players have runs or receptions for the Trojans this season.
La Vernia closes their regular season at Rockport-Fulton next Friday. Beeville Jones finishes their regular season hosting Pleasanton.
Mark Kusenberger
October 24, 2022
Read more from Mark on his blog at https://mkusenberger.wixsite.com/website/blog