Shiner coach ready for rivalry
Mike Forman, Victoria Advocate Sports Writer
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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Anything Jake Wachsmuth didn’t know about Shiner St. Paul’s rivalry with Hallettsville Sacred Heart he quickly found out after taking over as the Cardinals’ head coach this season.
"I heard about it from Day 1," Wachsmuth said. "I know it’s a big rivalry. Hallettsville Sacred Heart has a good tradition and I know it’s been a while since we’ve beaten them."
Actually, it’s been more than a while since St. Paul got the upper hand on the Indians. St. Paul’s last victory over Sacred Heart was a 14-9 decision in Shiner in 1989.
The series has belonged to Sacred Heart ever since, as the Indians have captured 16 straight wins over the Cardinals (the teams did not play in 1998 and ’99) and most of the games haven’t even been close.
"Everywhere I’ve coached there’s been a rivalry," Wachsmuth said. "I know the situation. We felt like we had a chance to have some success this season. I really can’t say it’s another game. I know it’s a big game for both teams."
The rivalry continues at 6 p.m. Friday at Comanche Stadium in Shiner. The game time was moved up because some of the players are also competing in the TAPPS state cross country meet on Saturday in Waco.
The Cardinals come into the game with a 5-1 record after opening TAPPS Division IV, District 3 play with a 55-8 win over Waco Texas Christian. The Indians opened district play with a 33-7 win over Bryan Brazos Christian and evened its record at 3-3.
"This is the best St. Paul team I’ve seen in a long time," Sacred Heart coach Pat Henke said. "They have a lot of explosiveness. We’re going to have to slow them down. We can’t turn the ball over, and we must control the line of scrimmage because both teams like to run the football."
After opening the season with a shut out against Yorktown, Sacred Heart yielded a total of 147 points in its next four games, three of which were losses.
"I’m not used to that either," said Henke, whose teams are known for their defense. "But we were missing five defensive starters. We got a bunch back on defense (against Brazos Christian). It was the first time this season I had my front eight. We played well."
St. Paul’s loss came in a 55-42 shootout against Flatonia. The Cardinals have scored at least 40 points in every game.
"The kids have really executed the offense well," Wachsmuth said. "We’ve been doing a few different things, and we try not to do the same things all the time. But most of the credit goes to the kids. We have good kids who do the job."
As badly as the Cardinals want to end the streak, Wachsmuth has reminded his team not to forget about the next three games.
"We know this is an important game, and we hear a lot about it," Wachsmuth said. "We know they want to beat Sacred Heart. But we do not want them thinking this one game is our season."
Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-580-6588, or by e-mail at mforman@vicad.com.
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