Wharton win doesn't mean Ricebirds can relax
Open week gives quarterbacks time to heal from broken bones
By CHRIS BARBEE cbarbee@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Kris Bagley Run That Ball Running back Maverick Smith had what Ricebird head coach Bob Gillis called a "breakout game" when El Campo blasted Wharton back across the river in a 42-0 win Friday night.

"Like I tell our guys, it's open - it's not off, because we will work out," Ricebird head football coach and athletic director Bob Gillis said of this week's open date.

But with his top two quarterbacks both out with broken collar bones, he is glad to have an open week to take a look at who will be calling signals on offense. Other than that, it will be business as usual for the Ricebirds this week.

Taking a look at the big 42-0 win over Wharton Friday night during the 98th Colorado River Battle dating back to the first game in 1910, when the Ricebirds rode the train to Wharton, Gillis said he couldn't be more pleased with his entire squad.

Defensively, Gillis said the 4-0 'Birds did an outstanding job of adjusting to an offensive set they weren't expecting from Wharton.

"Wharton came out in the I-formation which they haven't shown hardly any. They're normally a no-huddle, one-back spread team. I think they wanted to come out and control the clock. Our defense just adjusted and rose up ... and the coaches made good adjustments ... and we played lights out. It put the offense in position, with turnovers and a short field, to go score," he said.

L-N Photo by Kris Bagley Elation Defensive back Landon Appling (5) leaps with glee after Kris Escobar recovered a fumble during the first quarter of the Ricebirds' beat-down of Wharton Friday night. El Campo kept their across-the-river rivals scoreless, sending the Tigers home with a 42-0 loss. Show enjoying the moment with Appling are, from left, Gerrod Farrow (77), Anthony Cruz (7), Blake Korenek (10) and Thad Deiss (19).

The coach said free safety Thad Deiss "had a really good game." He said the defensive backs, both senior Blake Korenek and sophomore Anthony Cruz, did well. "Our whole defensive team played very good."

Gillis said Wharton's defense gave El Campo some looks they weren't really expecting. "But our offensive line adjusted really well to that. Sometimes it takes us a little while to get going," he said.

"I think we were pretty efficient in throwing the ball. We don't throw the ball much, but we were 5 for 9 for 90 yards. Larry Williams had a big night as a receiver, and our backs ... Anthony Terrell and Maverick Smith ... both ran exceptionally well," the coach said.

"Anthony got what we call fullback yards. He got some pretty tough yards. Against Victoria he got a lot of yards, but they weren't fullback yards. And Maverick had a breakout game, gaining over 140 yards rushing, which was great for him. And (quarterback) Dakota was having a super game," he said.

"I was real proud of them. When Dakota went down it was real sad for all of us, but the team responded very well. Tyler came in and he scored two more touchdowns. It was a good win. But it was a bittersweet win because you hate for anyone to get hurt."