Is a title in the Cards?
St. Paul sets ultimate goal
Thursday August 28, 2003
Paul Ebner, Victoria Advocate Sports Writer
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SHINER - With the TAPPS state champion coming from their district two of the last three years, the St. Paul Cardinals know they have their work cut out for them.
St. Paul head coach Jimmy Cox, left, begins his second season with the Cardinals.
But this may be the year the Cardinals are primed for the showdown with the defending state champion Sacred Heart Indians.
"We're looking to win a district championship and a state championship," said second-year coach Jimmy Cox. "I don't know if we are quite ready for it yet or not, but that's our goal."
And Cox may have enough experience returning to get that goal accomplished. Eight offensive and seven defensive starters return for the Cardinals, who lost to Colleyville Christian in the TAPPS Class 2A semifinals last season.
With a year of work under their belts with Cox's guidance, the Cardinals should be ready to challenge for the state title.
"Last year took a long time to learn our terminology," Cox said. "This year during two-a-days, we've been able to put in a lot more already and it's beginning to look more like I want it to."
ST. PAUL CARDINALS AT A GLANCE
HEAD COACH; Jimmy Cox, second year overall (7-6), all at St. Paul.
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 7-6 overall, 2-1 in TAPPS District 3-2A.
RETURNING LETTERMAN: 25
RETURNING STARTERS: 15 (8 offensive, 7 defensive).
LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2002 - lost to Colleyville Christian 13-0 in Class 2A semifinal.
STRENGTHS: Experience, depth in the backfield.
WEAKNESS: Lack of experience in secondary.
Back to guide the offensive unit will be senior quarterback Justin Matias and senior running back Eric Patek. Patek is a first-team, all-state selection both offensively and defensively.
Despite having an all-stater in the backfield, Cox feels he has plenty of depth to even things up among five backfield candidates.
Cox will also be looking at Cameron Kresta, Derek Kovalick, Scott Vrana and Jeremy Petru to lighten the load for Patek, who will also see plenty of time on the defensive line.
"I want those five to split time and get an even amount of carries throughout the year," Cox said. "I feel we're that deep and will be able to do that."
Kresta will also see time at wingback, and when Cox looks to throw the ball, lining up as targets for Matias will be James Picha, Dagen Hybner and tight end Travis Pilat, a second-team all-state pick last season.
The Cardinals should also have plenty of experience and size to run behind this season with Will Pekar (250), John Aschenbeck (225), Cody Mraz (170) and Adam Janak (185) - all returning starters back to lead the offensive front. Mraz was a second-team all-state pick as well.
2002 ST. PAUL CARDINAL FOOTBALL Date Time Team Last Year 8/28 7:00 at Texas School for the Deaf W 23-12 9/5 7:30 at Louise W 34-27 9/12 7:30 Flatonia L 5-35 9/19 7:30 S.A. Cornerstone L 20-57 9/26 7:30 at Fort Bend Baptist W 39- 6 10/4 2:00 St. Joseph L 27-47 10/10 7:30 at Concordia Lutheran L 27-28 10/17 7:30 at Bryan Allen Academy W 21- 7 10/24 4:30 * Sacred Heart L 0-48 10/31 7:30 * La Marque Abun. Life W 39- 0 11/8 7:30 * at Round Rock Christian W 34- 7 * TAPPS District 3-2A game CLICK HERE FOR TEAM ROSTER
"We still have a couple of spots we're looking at in the line," Cox said.
Those spots could be filled by Colin Brennan or freshmen Chad Kloesel or Kevin Patek.
Cox is just as excited about his defense. "We should be a little more sound on defense this year," Cox said. "We lost some speed in the secondary, but the sophomores that have stepped in should be just as good, just not quite as experienced."
Kovalick, Kresta, Vrana, Matias and Petru will share time in the secondary for the Cardinals, while Pilat and Picha will be the two main forces at the linebacker spots.
Cox plans to go by committee on the defensive front to give his linemen plenty of rest.
Along with Patek on the front will be Mraz, Aschenbeck, Pekar, Brennan and Janak.
Even with all the experience back, Cox still realizes the Cardinals must go through district rival Sacred Heart to reach their goal.
"Sacred Heart is still the team everyone is trying to shoot for," Cox said. "Coach Henke does such a good job over there and will have his kids ready, so no doubt they are still the team to beat."
Paul Ebner is the assistant sports editor for the Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-580-6508, or by e-mail at pebner@vicad.com.
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