PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Chilton vs. Shiner
December 13, 2003
Chad Conine, Waco Tribune-Herald staff writer
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Chilton (13-1) vs. Shiner (13-1) 7 p.m., Round Rock ISD Stadium
Both of these teams could run all night and both have run over plenty of opponents getting to this 1A state semifinal matchup.
The Pirates, led by quarterback Jamar Green's 2,322 rushing yards, have gained 4,790 yards on the ground. Shiner answers with three 1,000 yard gainers in running backs Chris Baer and Quentin Wright and quarterback Garet Pustka.
The seasoned fan will watch to see which team wins the line of scrimmage.
"We put a lot of emphasis on them getting off the ball and moving the line of scrimmage," Chilton coach Lucky Gamble said. "You can't move the football if you don't have somebody up front moving some people."
Chilton running backs Travis Landrum and Dearis Brandon play mostly on offense while middle linebacker Bryan Childers is primarily a defender. Other than those three, expect the Pirates offensive players to turn right around and play almost every snap on defense as well. The same goes for Shiner. So look for a lot of the same players to butt heads most of the night.
Field position could be huge as these two run-heavy offenses slug it out.
"Special teams will be big," Shiner coach Steven Cerny said. "When I say special teams I'm more talking in terms of punts and punt returns because that can really affect a high school game."
If Chilton has an advantage it could be in the passing game. Green has thrown for 882 yards and 17 touchdowns while Shiner's Pustka has completed just 28 of 76 attempts for 481 yards and five TD's in 14 games.
"If it takes running, passing, whatever, I'll do whatever it takes to win the state championship," Green said.
Chilton squashed 23-1A foe Bosqueville, 52-24, to reach the state semifinal. Shiner also defeated a district rival with its 16-14 victory against Falls City in the regional final.
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