GONZALES APACHES

Passing game a focus for Apaches

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The Apaches (1-1) next step toward becoming a great football team by the time they reach district is a tough non-district matchup against the state-ranked Yoakum Bulldogs. Yoakum (1-1) comes off an impressive 40-21 victory over Cuero last Friday after suffering a 35-21 Week 1 defeat against Boerne.

The passing game for the Gonzales Apaches admittedly needs some work, according to Apaches head football coach Mike Waldie. After reviewing film from last Friday’s game, Waldie was encouraged with what they saw.

“We got to shore up our pass [protection] to give our quarterback a chance, and he didn’t have much of a chance the other night, that’s the bottom line,” Waldie said. “I thought it was because we were getting whipped in game, and it was actually an X & O breakdown in game. You’re not happy about that, but that is fixable.”

“If you just get whipped,” Waldie laughed, “that’s not fixable, usually. That made me have a deep breath the next morning from my disappointment from the night before.”

However, if the Apaches are to achieve the goal of forcing defenses to defend the entire width of the football field, the offense will need to show that they can attack with their passing game.

Offensively for the Bulldogs, Waldie pointed out a few playmakers including junior quarterback Blake Gordon (12), freshman running back Jayden Jones (4), senior wide receiver Ty Love (1), junior running back Dorien Hights (44), sophomore receiver Trace Moore and senior wide receiver Larry Hysaw (15).

“You go up and down the board on their skill positions and they’re super athletic, period,” Waldie said.

With this being a non-district matchup, Waldie understand that the focus is more internal than it is gameplaying, especially on offense. Defensively, if the Apaches can get pressure up front, the team can have some success.

Kickoff is scheduled at 7:30 p.m.

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