Edcouch-Elsa preparing for physical Sandcrabs

KINGSVILLE - On the field, anyway, the 2008 season has been one of uninterrupted flow for No. 2 Edcouch-Elsa.

There have been 11 victories, and since their win over Harlingen High, the ‘Jackets (11-0) haven't really been challenged. They have risen to the No. 10 spot in the Associated Press' 4A poll and talked openly about establishing themselves as a Texas power.

Save for surviving a UIL hearing about whether they used an ineligible player, the E-E season has gone exactly to plan.

Port Lavaca Calhoun (8-1), who the ‘Jackets play Friday in Kingsville, wasn't nearly as lucky.

After their second game, the Sandcrabs' season was interrupted for 21 days because of Hurricane Ike and damage in the Calhoun area. Before the storm, Port Lavaca Calhoun, which has played only nine games, was living up to its billing as one of the top teams in the state, using its running attack to start a dominating 2-0, including a 54-26 demolition of Mercedes in San Antonio.

But that running game, one which depends on timing and rhythm, struggled when the season resumed. Now, however, Sandcrabs coach Richard Whitaker sees his team getting back to where it was before Ike.

"We've been trying to get back to that level all season" Whitaker said, referencing the Sandcrabs' performance in their first two games, including their 366-yard performance on the ground against Mercedes. "The 21 days between the second and third game were tough for us."

Against Floresville last week, the Sandcrabs, who have been designated the home team for tonight's game, put up 49 points to get to the area round and set up their matchup with the ‘Jackets. E-E coach Joe Solis said he has a pretty good idea of what Port Lavaca Calhoun will try to do to the ‘Jackets defense, and sounded impressed with the Sandcrabs.

He also sounded confident that his defense would be able to stand up to their running game.

"Our defense has done a good job all year. If we can get them to stop the run, I think we can cause a lot of problems for them," Solis said. "They're a team that's used to leading from the very start. If we can go in there like we did last Friday against Tuloso-Midway and get some quick scores on them, I think they're going to have to change their gameplan and they're going to lose their focus."

Brian Sandalow covers District 32-4A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436 or via e-mail at bsandalow@themonitor.com.