Gobblers prepare to face tough schedule
by Richard Morton, Record Sports
With another season of high school football just around the corner, the Gobblers schedule has a few changes from last year.
University Interscholastic League realignment earlier this year has once again had an impact on the Gobblers as well as the rest of district 28-3A. Back from a two year leave of absence in 2A, an old rival, the Edna Cowboys return to 3A and district 28.
Being a perrennial powerhouse is not always easy. The Gobblers are now 60-8 with Coach Mark Reeve at the helm, making it tough to schedule games early in season. This is indicated in the Gobblers non-district schedule which looks more like a rough playoff run then a pre-district warmup. All five of Cuero's non-district opponents were playoff teams a year ago. Rio Hondo, Devine, and LaVernia are all projected district winners.
First up for the Gobblers is Beeville. The Trojans were 11-3 in 2007 and are returning 7/5 starters from a Division II 4A quarterfinalist team. Beeville's quarterback is a four year starter and was District 30-4A offensive player of the year last season.
Week two sees the Gobblers in one of the best matchups in all of high school football for the week. The Rio Hondo Bobcats return 8/5 starters from an 11-1 Division II 3A area finalist team. The #25 ranked Bobcats will bring one of South Texas best defenses into the matchup. The game will be played in Robstown and should be the best road game for fans.
Week three finds the Gobblers on the road again at #19 Devine. The Warhorses were 9-3 last year and return 5/10 starters off of a Division II area finalist team. Devine has a solid defense but also has holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball.
The Bay City Blackcats come to Cuero in week four. The Blackcats were 6-5 a year ago in District 23-4A. They return 3/8 starters of a team that made the playoffs. The Blackcats look to rebuild this year under first year coach Robert Blackmon.
The final non-district game sees Cuero traveling to LaVernia. The Bears made the playoffs last year with an 8-3 record and will return 7/4 starters from that team. The Bears look to be a solid team on both offense and defense.
After five weeks of hard nosed football, the Gobblers will get a well deserved rest in week six with a bye.
The Gobblers open district play with a home game against rival Yoakum. The Bulldogs look to rebound froma 1-9 season as they return 9/7 starters.
Week eight sees Cuero matchup against the Palacios Sharks.
The Sharks were 10-4 last season, including two losses to the Gobblers (one in the playoffs). Palacios will return 4/6 starters including all-state linebacker Alex Buckley and all-state defensive end Eric Rojas.
Cuero celebrates homecoming and begins a two week home stand against Goliad in week nine. The Tigers return 8/7 starters from a 2-8 team a season ago. Goliad looks to improve this year with experience from upperclassmen.
Week 10 is the final home game of the year and Parents Night. Along with that comes a tough matchup against Gonzales. The Apaches were a playoff team last season posting a 10-3 record. Gonzales will return 5/4 starters and look to return to the playoffs with all-state reciever Ckody Burton making an impact. This will be a tough matchup for the Gobblers, however they will be battle tested from their non-district schedule. Cuero should look to clinch its sixth straight district title against the Apaches.
The last game of the regular season Cuero travels to Edna to face the Cowboys. Edna was a 9-2 playoff team in 2A last season and will return 5/4 starters from that team. Edna hopes to deal with the loss of 17 seniors and a return to 3A.
District 28-3A is shaping up to produce some great Friday night action this season. Look for Cuero and Gonzales to compete for the district championship while the third playoff spot will be up for grabs by the other four teams in the district.
Correction: In last week's article on this season's Gobbler football team, returning center Kolton Smith was inadvertantley left out of the article. Smith will return as the starter for his senior year.