Marble Falls football using bye week to work on fundamentals in preparation for district
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School football team is using its bye this week to return to fundamentals, head coach Todd Dodge said.
And he believes it’s an important time to fine-tune those skills because the Mustangs (2-2) begin District 25-4A play against Cedar Park, the Class 4A Division II state champion, on Oct. 4.
“Blocking, tackling, throwing and catching,” Dodge said. “Working their craft.”
He said to expect to see a greater emphasis on improving cover skills, timing on routes and ball protection, things that help teams be successful.
The Mustangs finished their pre-district schedule with a 59-37 loss to Boerne Champion on Sept. 20.
The Chargers outscored Marble Falls 21-9 in the first quarter and took a 45-16 lead at the half. By then, Champion began substituting freely at running back.
But once Marble Falls began to put points on the board, the Chargers inserted running back Travis Pospisl, who ran for more than 200 yards in the first half, back in the game. He finished with 305 yards on 24 carries. Champion generated 566 yard of total offense.
Marble Falls sophomore quarterback Brennen Wooten was 20 of 36 for 331 yards and three touchdowns in the air and rushed 12 times for 85 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run. Senior receiver Garrett Gray caught seven passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while senior receiver J.T. Watson hauled in six passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.
A year ago, Marble Falls defeated the Chargers 62-55 and took a bye. Dodge said he remembers fans telling him they thought the open date came at a crucial time because the Mustangs had enjoyed great success. Former quarterback Mike Richardson had set a state record with 724 passing yards in the contest.
“I don’t really believe all that,” Dodge said.
While the players and coaches had aimed for four victories to start the season, Dodge said their other goals are obtainable. At the top of the the list are contending for the district title and qualifying for the playoffs.
“Our goals are in place,” he said. “There are six weeks left, and we want to win enough of those six. I still believe in our team. We have to get better. And we should be able to expect to do that.”
Dodge said the district campaign will be a battle, one that will require much more from the Mustangs.
“We have to grind and fight and get better,” he said. “You work your tails off as coaches and players. When you win, it’s high euphoria. We have a chance to be men right now. They’re good young men. We’re going to treat them like young men. We’re going to bow up and get better. That’s what has to happen.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com