Crane: Can’t overlook La Grange

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GONZALES — The Gonzales Apaches find themselves in an odd situation Friday night as they take on a winless La Grange Leopards team to begin District 10-4AD2 play. But if you were to ask the coaching staff, they’d tell you that both teams are “winless” since pre-district games don’t count toward playoff seeding. Although the Apaches are 3-2 in non-district, coaches will tell you that both teams are 0-0.

“I hope that our kids have a pretty good understanding of that,” Apaches’ Head Coach Kodi Crane said. “We have Colby Cox, Brandon Carrizales, Juan Licea, maybe a couple of others, that were on an 0-5 team their sophomore year, go 4-1 in district, make the playoffs as a second seed. Our kids should have a better understanding of that than most people do.”

The Apaches have done that twice, going 0-5 in district to then turn around and win four games in district to take runner up. Crane explained that La Grange has had some tough opponents, with teams such as Argyle, Navarro, Taylor and La Vernia in their schedule.

“With that tough schedule, I’m sure their coach knew that going in and I’m sure every single day he tells his kids, ‘get better today and let’s peak whenever district comes around,’” Crane said. “That record is 100 percent totally misleading.”

Another issue the Leopards have faced are injuries. Starting quarterback #2 Parker Gage suffered a broken collarbone in the first game of the season. On defense, playmakers such as #42 Dayton Jarvis and free safety #12 Noah Blackwell have got hurt, hence the record.

Crane expects many of their players to be back, so the Apaches will be ready to take on a strong La Grange team.

Offensively, the Leopards have shown multiple looks, though they like to run the ball and get the ball to their running backs any way they can.

“#33 Chris Dobbins is their running back now,” Crane scouted. “He is a good football player, runs extremely hard, physical and aggressive.”

Crane also noted that #24 Jericho Haardt, #5 Ryan Cooper and #3 Kayton Powell are all threats on the offense.

If Gage is unable to go, the Leopards have thrown #14 Brock Gardiner and #17 A.J. Grant under center.

“They are good quarterbacks,” Crane said, “they can distribute the ball throwing it, they can run very efficiently. They are doing a good job at quarterback.”

Defensively the Leopards run an odd front, though they have shown signs of putting down an even (or 4-down linemen) front.

“We think, as a coaching staff, the best part of their defense is their run defense,” Crane said.

Interesting enough, the Apaches’ have focused more on their running game this season, so Friday’s game will prove to be a big test for that offensive line.

“It’s us against them and it comes down to blocking and running hard,” he said. “Last year we didn’t’ run the ball effectively against them. Whenever it’s time, we got to use that running game toss it up the vertical passing game down the field.”

La Grange has had turnover issues this season, another reason why they’re record sits at 0-4. Two weeks ago against Uvalde, the Apaches got to their coveted “DEF-CAN” or their “turnover trashcan.” Against La Grange, the Apaches’ defense will need to collect some more footballs.

“That’s been a big emphasis this week and will continue to be as such,” Crane said. “We got to surround the ball with our safeties and play outstanding leverage.”

This coaching staff has been in this scenario before with Crane’s first two seasons producing no non-district wins. But during district season, the Apaches proved that non-district records mean nothing on the football field. As they take on La Grange, currently a winless team this season, Crane and his Apaches will not be overlooking their first district test of the season.

Tonight’s game is at home at Apache Field, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

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