FB: Center-Linden-Kildare Game Notes
and Quincy Ratcliff (32) stifled the Rusk offensive attack last
week. (Photo by Ray Jackson)
Center Roughriders (1-0) @
#12 Linden-Kildare Tigers (1-0)
Friday, Sept. 3, 2010 - 7:30 p.m.
Jack Hetherington Tiger Stadium (3,000 cap.) - Linden, Texas
Turf: Natural - Map of Stadium Location
Radio: KDET - 930 AM & KQSI - 92.5 FM
The Center Roughriders (1-0) will look to start the season 2-0 for the second straight year, but will have their hands full with 12th-ranked Linden-Kildare when Center goes on the road for the first time in 2010 against the 1-0 Tigers.
WHERE THEY STAND: Center is once again a member of the District 18-3A race this fall. The 'Riders are coming off an 8-4 campaign a year ago in which they advanced to the Area round of the Class 3A D-II playoffs after finishing third in the league race behind Carthage and Jasper. They are picked to finish third again this season.
Linden-Kildare was 8-5 last year, posting a 4-1 league mark and advancing to the Class 2A D-II Regional Semifinals. The Tigers return seven offensive and seven defensive starters from a year ago. They are in District 8-2A D-II, along with Elysian Fields, Harleton, Hughes Springs, Ore City and Waskom. They are picked to win the district this season.
HOW THEY RANK: Center isn't ranked in the Associated Press Class 3A state rankings this week, but league opponent Kirbyville sits at No.11. The Roughriders are getting attention in the regional rankings, sitting at No.8 in the Smoaky.com poll and No.7 in the Eastexsports.com poll.
Linden-Kildare moved up one spot to No.12 in the AP Class 2A poll after defeating Hooks, 35-14 last week. The Tigers are getting a lot of love in the Smoaky.com regional poll, ranked No.4 this week. Smoaky.com doesn't break the rankings down by divisions. If that wasn't pleasing enough, they are ranked No.2 in the Eastexsports.com Class 2A D-II poll.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Center is coming off an impressive 47-0 victory over Rusk in Week 0. The Roughriders excelled in all phases of that game as Ty Hubbard ran back the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, CHS held Rusk to just 88 total yards, including a mere nine yards passing and only 1.7-yards per play. On the offensive side, Center quarterback Ryan Goodwin rushed for 129 yards on 11 carries (11.7-yard avg.), while completing 6-of-13 passes for 86 yards and a score. Tre Sudds added 58 yards on six hauls (9.7 avg.) and Cameron Cloudy added 41 yards on three attempts (13.7 avg.). On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Kevinski Pitts dominated play with 16 tackles, including eight stops for losses. He also forced a pair of fumbles, recovered one and had one quarterback sack.
Linden-Kildare rolled up 271 yards on the ground and added 108 through the air last week in its decisive win over Hooks. Two Tiger running backs gained over 100 yards, led by RaShoderick Linwood's 152 yards on 15 carries (10.1 avg.). Kenneth Harrison added 106 yards on 10 attempts. Harrison only attempted eight passes on the night, but completed five for 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns. J.J. Walker caught one for a 175-yard score and Cody Belyeu added one for 13 yards.
OTHER DISTRICT 18-3A ACTION: One other District 18-3A team was victorious last week when Kirbyville knocked off Coldspring, 20-6. Other results included: Tatum 52, Diboll 13; Lumberton 56, Jasper 35; and Tarkington 20, Huntington 8. The schedule for Friday night includes: Corrigan-Camden at Diboll, Huntington will visit Liberty, Jasper will host Livingston and Kirbyville will be at home against Newton. All games will be at 7:30 p.m.
PINEYWOODSSPORTS.COM PREDICTION: This week's game will be much closer than last Friday Center. But I believe before it's all said and done, Center has too much talent for Linden-Kildare. The game will be close for about three quarters, but if the Roughriders don't beat themselves, I think the defense will make the difference in the fourth.
Center 35, Linden-Kildare 21
John Krueger's email address is pineywoodssports@yahoo.com.