LEAGUE CITY — Clear Creek High School football coach Darrell Warden is not fooled by the Alvin Yellowjackets’ winless record this season.
Even if he was, the Wildcats have too much riding on this week’s outcome not to take their opponent seriously. Clear Creek (3-5, 2-2 District 24-5A) can put a virtual hammer lock on a playoff berth if it beats the Yellowjackets (0-9, 0-5) on the road Friday.
“We’re their last game, and we’re approaching Alvin like they’re 9-0,” Warden said. “It will be a we-have-to-win-to-get-in type of atmosphere. On any night, Alvin can beat anybody. History has dictated that.”
Warden was speaking of two instances in which the Yellowjackets have pulled off some surprising victories against the run of their season. One occurred last season when their only district triumph was against district champion Brazoswood. In 2004, Alvin won four district games, but missed out on the playoffs in a tiebreaker. The Yellowjackets were the only team to beat Clear Lake that year before Clear Lake lost in the state semifinals.
Warden added that Alvin’s winless record this season is a little deceiving.
“If they had executed a little bit better in a few games, you’re looking at them having a winning record,” Warden said. “They have battled, and if we let them hang around, they’re going to think they can win.”
Letting Alvin hang around could be the Wildcats’ best-case scenario if they come out flat in their first action in two weeks. Because of last week’s idle date and playing its two most recent games against district leaders Brazoswood and Pearland, Clear Creek has not won a game in one month.
Clear Creek had a legitimate opportunity to win both of those games, though, so Warden said he is not concerned.
“We feel pretty good about what we’re doing,” he said. “Unfortunately, we just came up short against two of the best teams in the district. A turnover here or there and maybe the Brazoswood game is a little different. A play here or there against Pearland and we have a chance to win that game.”
On Wednesday, they practiced on the grass freshman field to prepare for Friday night’s game that will be played on grass. That’s just another example of how the Wildcats are taking Alvin seriously. It also doesn’t hurt, Warden said, that the players are anxious to get back on the field.
“It seems like it’s been forever since we played, and our kids have handled it well,” Warden said. “Having an off week and being able to prepare for two weeks for a team is a good thing.”
