District notes
By Lew
October 29, 2004
No doubt, this is no cakewalk
By Troy Shockley
October 29, 2004
OK, so it's crosstown showdown week in District 3-5A.
And, apparently, there is a game here in Abilene a few people are planning to see tonight.
A bit lost in all the hubbub, though, is the key District 4-3A matchup between Wylie and Snyder high schools. And, while it may be cliche, when these two teams meet, anything can happen.
In fact, this battle of cats and dogs lends itself a veritable cornucopia of cliches, sports and otherwise.
Wylie comes into this game on a roll, winning four of its last five and is, from all appearances, peaking at the right time.
On paper, the Bulldogs look to be the favorite. They have won their last two games by a combined score of 64-21 and judging by every matchup between common foes - San Angelo Lake View, Midland Greenwood, Sweetwater and Merkel - they have a distinct edge. Of course, these games aren't played on paper, and on any given day any team is capable of beating another team.
And, while statistics can be misleading, Wylie is working toward its sixth straight district title and its 12th playoff appearance in the last 13 years. In short, they've been here before, they have a lot of big-game experience and they control their own destiny.
Currently leading the district, Wylie is a perfect 2-0 after edging Sweetwater and then blowing out Merkel last week. Snyder, meanwhile, is locked in a second-place tie with Sweetwater at 2-1, and is playing in its season finale. A win for the Bulldogs, then, would go a long way toward clinching that sixth district title and kick-starting their hopes of making a deep run in the postseason.
To do so, however, Wylie will have to be sure to remember what got them here.
There is no ''I'' in ''TEAM,'' but there is in ''KIGER.''
Tailback Michael Kiger is Wylie's workhorse and a tough, hard-nosed player. He leads the team in rushing with 688 yards on 112 attempts - many of those coming in tough 1-, 2- and 3-yard straight-up-the-gut carries - and he's second to Josh Poorman in receiving yards with 248. Suffice it to say, Kiger is a complete package. He can flat out play.
Getting Kiger and his teammates the ball is junior quarterback Case Keenum, who the Bulldogs count on week in and week out to get it done.
Keenum is the heart and soul of this team, and a leader both on and off the field. Seemingly always coming through in the clutch, Keenum thrives under pressure and has thrown for more than 1,300 yards already this season. Add to that his 303 yards rushing - second only to Kiger - and it's obvious he is an impact player that can take over a game. He knows what it takes to win and, very often, makes it look easy.
All of this aside, Snyder is no pushover. Dee Walker, a transfer from Arizona, needs just 44 yards to join this season's 1,000-yard club, and the team's second-leading rusher, quarterback Matt Reigh, has 404 yards.
Snyder has shown flashes of brilliance this season, and is definitely a team to be reckoned with.
After a record-setting season in 2003, Snyder is loaded this year and has a strong supporting cast as well. They have been playing with confidence, have great team chemistry and are easily capable of putting up big numbers.
At the end of the night, though, only one team can walk away with a win. In all likelihood, that team will be the one that eliminates mental mistakes, capitalizes on their opportunities and leaves everything on the field.
It's a shame somebody has to lose this game, but one thing's for sure: The fans will sure get their money's worth.
Snyder at Wylie
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Records: Snyder 7-2 overall, 2-1 District 4-3A; Wylie 6-2, 2-0
Radio: KHXS 102.7 FM
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