District finale to determine playoff seeding

GONZALES — It may sound repetitive, but since the district season began for the Gonzales Apaches (4-5, 2-1), the game plan has been the same. Run the ball on offense, stop the vertical passing on defense.

The Apaches are somewhat the black sheep of District 15-4ADI. In a district that relies heavily on the pass game with great quarterback play, Gonzales has used their run game more to set up the pass game later.

This week against Boerne (8-1, 3-0) will be no different.

“Boerne can score, they’re like every other offense that we’ve played this year — dynamic,” Gonzales Head Coach Kodi Crane said. “Outstanding quarterback, every quarterback we’ve played in district has been phenomenal and the Boerne quarterback [Cole Boyd (15)] is absolutely no exception. He’s big, I think he’s 6-3, he has good speed whenever he needs it, has an extremely strong arm, great receiver corps. They are a little bit more 54-46 run-pass, running it a little bit more, but they have over 1,000 more total yards in the passing game than the running game.”

In order to stop the spread defense, the Apaches will have to control the running game, then make Boerne one-dimension, forcing them to throw.

One receiver to look out for is senior wideout Douglas Hodo III (5). Hodo III has the most receptions for the Greyhounds, although Boyd has a slew of weapons to throw to.

“It’s absolutely no different than La Vernia, than Beeville, than Pleasanton, you now, phenomenal on the offensive on the football,” Crane said.

Defensively, the Greyhounds run a 4-3, usually with zone coverage in the back, although the Apaches expect Boerne to adjust and run more man-to-man.

“Everybody does, because the way we run the football,” Crane noted. “We’re expecting them to load the box. We’re kind of a little bit in an island, we run the ball all the time and everybody else in our district throws it all over the place. You kind have got to look further into the film to not just what they’re doing but what we think they’re going to do against us as well.”

The linebacker corps of Monte Cluck (42), Elijah Marshall (10) and Logan Hanse (20) are key players on that Boerne defense. Boyd also plays defensive back for the team.

“They’ll play him at corner and safety and all over the place, whenever they need him they’ll play him,” Crane said.

Before the season, it may have looked like the Apaches pulled the short end of the straw with their Week 10 open week. However, Crane believes the break comes at a perfect time for this specific team.

“I thought it was in a good spot at a good time,” the head coach said, “and I felt like it allowed everybody to take a breath, to back off and refocus, rejuvenate, recharge your battery, ready to go make a playoff run.”

Kickoff this Friday is set for 7:30 p.m. at Apache Field.