Apaches dominate Smithville, clinch playoff spot

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SMITHVILLE — The Gonzales Apaches (5-5. 2-3) are in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year after knocking off the Smithville Tigers (0-10, 0-5) 49-0.

From start to finish the Apaches dominated as the defense gave up just four first downs in the first half, one by penalty and two near the end of the half. The first play of the game was an interception by senior defensive back Alex Ortiz.

“We worked that drill over and over because that was one of [Smithville’s] favorite routes,” Apaches’ head coach Kodi Crane said. “Alex Ortiz sat on it and played it perfect.”

Then, running back Josh Calvin took two direct snaps out of the wildcat formation, gaining 12 yards on the first carry and six on the second. Quarterback Garrett Rickman later found Matthew Velasquez-Banda in the end zone on an 11-yard dart for their first score of the game.

On the Apaches next offensive possession, Rickman found other receivers, including Heber Cardona on a 13-yard screen play then Trevion McNeil on a 34-yard touchdown grab to give the Apaches the 15-0 lead.

Six different Apaches registered receptions in the scoresheet and, including a fourth quarter where the backups played, nine different Apaches carried the ball Friday night.

“A lot of it depends on what [defenses give] us,” Crane explained. “If they give us that opportunity, obviously we want those kids touching the ball.”

Calvin led the way, rushing 20 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Rickman was 11 of 14 for 200 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed six times for 62 yards and a score.

But the story of the night was the Apaches defense, who came in with the game plan to stop Smithville’s rushing attack.

“We wanted to make them one dimensional,” Crane said, “and that’s what we were able to do. We’re blessed with really intelligent defensive football players. Alex Ortiz, Colby Cox, Wade Miller, Matthew Grauke, “JVB” [Jason Velasquez Banda], [Jaren] Blundell, “Bull” [Juan Licea], [Trent] Wilkerson, hometown Joseph Gonzales…those guys are so intelligent you can communicate, you can make small tweaks in the middle of the game.”

Defensive end Wade Miller even came up with a touchdown late in the second quarter. Up 29-0, the Apaches gave him two late carries to get to the end zone for a score. Miller has come in on offensive before, though usually as an extra blocker.

“He’s given so much to this program over the course of four years that, you know, let him touch the ball once or twice,” Crane said.

The head coach also mentioned that Miller and senior wide receiver Aaron Hunt will have played in more playoff games than anybody in the history of Gonzales High School football once they enter in the game this Friday.

“This will be their ninth playoff game,” Crane acknowledged, “and nobody’s played that many.”

The Apaches needed a Giddings’ win to advance to the playoffs and they got it as the Buffaloes took down Columbus 56-19. La Grange beat Caldwell 41-0, leaving the standings as Giddings up top, La Grange second, Caldwell third and Gonzales fourth.

The Apaches will take on District 9-4AD2 champions Lorena on Friday at Dragon Stadium in Round Rock at 7:30 p.m.

“We’ve played them the two years I was the head coach in Groesbeck,” Crane said. “Coach [Bruce] McDonald played them two years, so yes, we’re familiar with them. They are going to be a very disciplined, well-organized, well-schooled football team that does things right.”

Lorena finished their season 7-3, 5-0 in district.

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