TEXAS CITY — The Texas City High School football team has a different attitude this week compared to the one it took into last week’s victory over Brazosport.
Coach Tim Finn is excited about that.
Finn and quarterback Blake Apffel said after Texas City scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat visiting Brazosport 22-21 on Friday, the Stings did not go into the game with the same amount of passion and intensity.
The Stings (7-1, 4-0 District 23-4A) beat Dickinson and La Marque in the two weeks leading up to last week, and Finn said a holier-than-thou attitude may have crept into his players’ heads.
“The kids got some recognition for beating two undefeated teams in a row,” Finn said. “It’s recognition I’m glad they received, but on the other hand, it’s an inexperienced group and they didn’t get themselves focused for the next week.”
Finn said the Stings have returned to the status quo this week with all the players arriving at Monday’s practice with the right attitude. They have turned their attention to Friday’s road game with Angleton, which provides them a chance to clinch at least a share of the district title.
To get there, they’ll have to stop speedy running back D.J. Monroe. Though the University of Texas commitment is not having as good a season as many expected, Finn said he still is a threat to score on any play.
“You have to hold your breath every time he touches the football,” Finn said. “We know he’s one of the people we have to stop.”
As usual, the Stings counter with their own talented running back. Johnny Thomas has carried the ball 196 times (more than 50 carries over the second-highest total) for 1,319 yards (more than 500 yards over the second-highest total). His 16 rushing touchdowns are more than double the second-highest total.
Friday is set up to be Thomas’ best game as Angleton (2-6, 1-3) has the worst rush defense in the district. The Wildcats have allowed more than 200 yards a game on the ground.
Still, Finn is not taking anything for granted, especially after last week’s hiccup.
“We have had a good week of practice,” Finn said. “The kids know our district is tough, and if we go into any game unprepared or without our ‘A’ game, then we’re going to be in trouble.”
