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Roughnecks hope to stop rough stretch
Published November 1, 2007
The good thing about winning the first three District 24-3A games for Columbia is that even though the Roughnecks lost the last two, they are still in the thick of things for a playoff spot.
But that window of opportunity is closing quickly and a loss Friday night at Sealy could pretty much end their postseason hopes.
Columbia (3-5 overall, 3-2 District 24-3A) will travel to Tiger country to take on Sealy (5-3, 4-1) at 7:30 p.m in a must win scenario.
“We are still in it and the kids know that in order for us to get in we have to beat Sealy,” Columbia head coach Leland Surovik said. “One never knows what is going to happen but we have to show up Friday night.”
With one other game remaining for Columbia, versus Brookshire Royal, a win against Sealy would throw a monkey wrench into the battle for the second and third spots in district. The Tigers are tied with Columbus for the district crown, but there is a group of teams all bunched up after that.
In Columbia’s first three district wins the Roughnecks committed three turnovers, but in losses against Needville and Columbus, the team had eight.
“Our offense has to hold on to the football,” Surovik said. “A good offense is like a good defense because by holding on to the ball they can keep the other team off the field.”
Three interceptions and a fumble did not help Columbia’s chances against Needville.
“We didn’t have one of our better defensive efforts against Needville, but in order for us to be successful this defense has to create turnovers,” Surovik said. “I know we have some key defenders out or not at full strength, but those are problems that we have to overcome. Everybody is banged up around this time.”
Columbia will have to keep the Tiger offense off the field, especially with Sealy featuring speed tailback junior Dexter Downey (105 carries, 574 yards) and sophomore Freddie Harrison (73 carries, 573 yards). Both have scorched opposing defenses with their quick bursts between the tackles and in the outside lanes.
“It’s is going to be like a chess match and we will have to try to disguise some defenses in order to try to shut them down,” Surovik said. “They can hit the edge well from those backfield positions and we have to try to contain that.”
Though the Tigers are tied for the top spot, they also have the distinct honor of having the most fumbles with 26. But they’ve only lost 10 of those.
Sealy’s offense has gained 1,403 rushing yards and is averaging 233.4 yards a game.
The Tiger defense is giving up 260.3 yards per contest, giving up 1,432 yards on the ground.
Columbia sophomore quarterback Gray Raley still leads the district with 1,007 passing yards on 78 completions but he has thrown 13 picks and has only three touchdowns.
“Turnovers and penalties have come at inopportune times,” Surovik said. “One thing about a team like Sealy is that we can’t turn the ball over against them because they are the type of team that will take advantage of those miscues by scoring.”
In their only meeting in the last nine years, Columbia won last season, 42-16.
DIRECTIONS TO SEALY: Take Highway 36 north from West Columbia into Sealy. After crossing under Interstate 10, bear left on North Circle Street. Continue about a mile toward the stadium, ahead on the left.
Joel Luna is the sports editor for The Facts. Contact him at (979) 237-0160.
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