Bring on Brazosport
Ricebirds workout new quarterbacks as Brazosport heads to town
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Chris Barbee Three On One Blake Korenek (10), Anthony Cruz (7) and an unidentifiable Ricebird swarm the Victoria quarterback. El Campo's defense has been tough so far and after an open week, will attempt to shut down Brazosport for homecoming Friday.

Refer to El Campo's last week as an off week and Head Football Coach Bob Gillis will raise his eyebrows.

"Open week," Gillis said. "There is no off week."

Even though El Campo did not have a game last Friday, the Ricebirds were anything but off.

Practices for this week's homecoming match with Brazosport were intense as Ricebirds spent much of the time addressing questions at the quarterback position.

Starting quarterback Dakota Pietsch was sidelined during El Campo's game with Wharton Sept. 21. Pietsch fractured his left collar bone in the third quarter and will have to have surgery.

In his stead, Tyler Woods and Landon Appling will try to lead the Ricebird offense.

Woods came in and finished the Sept. 21 game at quarterback and now will likely share duties with Appling. Both are defensive starters and are expected keep their current positions.

TYLER WOODS

"It's going to be a true team effort because they're going to have to start playing both ways more then they have in the past," Gillis said. "We're just going to have to pick each other up. It was good we had an open week so we could work on that."

Woods is a starting linebacker as well as the team's primary kicker while Appling is a starting defensive back.

The coaching staff will have to monitor fatigue in the two players and play them accordingly, Gillis said. "We're going to have to be smart enough," he said. "That's what we worked on - there will be times when one of them needs a rest and the other one needs to go in. We'll have to be able, as coaches, to gauge that and if they need a break, then maybe we can give them a break on defense or offense."

Fans of the Dallas Cowboys might remember a time when Coach Tom Landry worked with multiple quarterbacks.

In 1971, while facing the Chicago Bears, Landry alternated between quarterbacks Craig Morton and Roger Staubach in every play.

LANDON APPLING

Fans should not expect Gillis to take a similar approach.

"I don't know that we'll go every other play," Gillis said. "Sometimes that wears kids out. We'll have more then one quarterback, I know that."

Gillis expects to continue using El Campo's offense without any change. He did not say whether or not that would include using Appling's speed often at the quarterback position.

"We're going to run our offense," Gillis said. "People need to remember that Landon is just a sophomore and has a lot on his plate. He's starting for us at defensive back, returns punts and kicks, plays tailback and we also put him in a little bit at wing back.

"He's got a lot of things going on for a sophomore. Throwing quarterback into the mix is really something that we didn't plan on. He'll be fine and we're going to do what he can do and just run our offense."

As El Campo works to regroup, the Ricebirds have one last game before starting district play.

The Brazosport Exporters will come to town Friday for El Campo's Homecoming game.

Brazosport is 3-1 on the season and is coming off its first loss. La Marque defeated the Exporters 24-13 Friday.

The Ricebirds easily defeated the Exporters 47-0 last season, but Brazosport is expected to provide more of a challenge under new Head Coach Brian Welch.

"Brazosport is improved as much as any team I think I've ever seen," said Gillis, who scouted the Cougars Friday. "We got to see them play last Friday against La Marque. Everybody knows how La Marque is and La Marque beat them 24-13."

The Cougars even used a pair of fluke plays in the narrow win.

"La Marque blocked a punt and scored and picked up a fumble and scored," Gillis said. "Think about that and if that doesn't get our attention, then nothing is going to get our attention."

The Exporters bring an offensive attack of quarterback Melvin White and running back Quinshaud Collins to face the Ricebirds. The two have combined for 483 rushing yards this season and performed well against La Marque.

Brazosport totaled 274 yards against the strong Cougar defense, including 142 rushing and 132 passing and only allowed La Marque 184 total yards Friday.

"They are playing very, very inspired football," Gillis said. "They've got kids that can run. They've got a great quarterback and running back. I'm impressed."