Prepped And Ready: Kanye And The Raiders
Danny Davis
danieldavis@statesman.com
Editor's note: This article was originally published October 9, 2013
Hello everybody.
The Austin area survived the opening weekend of ACL and musical acts like MUSE, Kendrick Lamar and Lionel Richie are set to invade Zilker Park for the festival's encore weekend. I'm not really into these musical festivals, but ACL did remind me of a story that I wrote in 2011.
In March of 2011, Kanye West came into town for a concert during South By Southwest. West needed a marching band to back him up during a performance of "All of the Lights", and the Raiders got the call.
Thirty-one months later, Reagan's band has another big performance on its schedule, but this one involves football and my guess is that Kanye West will not be at the 50-yard line. Reagan's homecoming game against LBJ is slated for Friday and the Raiders will be trying to snap a nine-game losing streak against their East Austin rivals.
Let's blog.
Each week, we'll introduce you to a player who is making big plays despite not having a big name. This week, we're taking a look at Westwood senior running back Mason Bartek.
Playing in Westwood's pass-heavy offense, Bartek has rushed for 319 yards and with only 72 carries, he maintains a rushing average of 4.4 yards per attempt. Bartek's 28 receptions also rank second on Westwood's roster and second among Austin-area running backs.
So how versatile is Bartek, a third-year letterman who has scored five touchdowns this season? Westwood head coach Anthony Wood said that Bartek could line up at any of the skill positions on Westwood's offense and that includes the quarterback position.
After winning its season opener, Westwood lost three straight games by the score of 142-57. But the Warriors have won their two district games, and Westwood will play Hendrickson for the District 16-5A lead on Friday.
As we mentioned earlier this week, there are seven undefeated teams left in our coverage area. And what kind of chance do those teams have to end the regular season with an unblemished record?
Looks like we know the topic for today's list.
Elgin (5-0): The Wildcats have been dynamic this season. Elgin has won its five games by an average of 39.8 points, and a win over Manor on Thursday could propel the Wildcats toward their first double-digit win total since 1996. TOUGHEST REMAINING GAME: Manor on Oct. 10.
East View (5-0): Wins over Connally and Bastrop have proven that East View will be a player in the race for one of District 17-4A's four playoff berths. East View, which is averaging 50.8 points per game, will likely be tested more over the next three weeks with back-to-back-to-back games against Georgetown, Manor and Elgin. TOUGHEST REMAINING GAME: Elgin on Oct. 25
Hendrickson (6-0): The Hawks are averaging 45.5 points while allowing 10 points per game. Hendrickson, which has won eight games in each of the past two regular seasons, isn't lacking in talent as RB Samaje Perine (Oklahoma), DB Chance Waz (Colorado), DB Trai Mosley(Nebraska) and WR Latrell Martin (Houston) have all verbally committed to a collegiate football program. TOUGHEST REMAINING GAME: Westwood on Oct. 11.
Hyde Park (5-0): The Panthers have scored at least 50 points in each of their past three games, and four of Hyde Park's opponents have been held to seven points or less. Also working in Hyde Park's favor is the fact that the Panthers have only two teams left on their schedule against opponents who currently boast winning records. TOUGHEST REMAINING GAME: Regents on Oct. 25.
Manor (5-0): The Mustangs have survived close calls recently as their last three games against Leander, Bastrop and Georgetown were all won by eight points or less. But it's tough to doubt Manor's consistency as the Mustangs have won 14 of their last 15 games. TOUGHEST REMAINING GAME: Elgin on Oct. 10.
Marble Falls Faith (6-0): The Flames' next two games are against Holy Trinity and Texas School for the Deaf teams that have combined for a 1-10 record. Those games will then be followed up with a game against a San Antonio Hawkins team that dropped a 68-8 decision to Eastside Memorial. Marble Falls Faith beat Eastside Memorial by 21 points. TOUGHEST REMAINING GAME: Central Texas Christian on Nov. 1
Regents (5-0): The Knights have actually trailed twice this season, but behind an offense that has scored 243 points, Regents is winning its games by an average of 36.8 points per game. It's been over three seasons since Regents won its last state championship but can quarterback Grant Brown and running back Will Zuddock lead the Knights back to the top of the TAPPS landscape? TOUGHEST REMAINING GAME: Hyde Park on Oct. 25
Every week, we will spotlight the collegiate accomplishments of a few of our area alums. If you know of someone who should be featured in this segment, drop me an e-mail at danieldavis@statesman.com.
Rhodes College sophomore quarterback Blake Box (Westlake, 2012) has thrown for 777 yards and eight touchdowns. Box was the Southern Athletic Association's player of the week during the season's third week.
Texas A&M-Kingsville freshman Greg Pitre (Hutto, 2012) has rushed for two touchdowns and a team-high 230 yards. Pitre's five receptions also rank second among the Javelinas.
University of Texas-Arlington junior setter Amanda Welsh (Westlake, 2011) is averaging 5.65 assists and 1.52 digs per set. Welsh is one of five Mavericks to play in all 63 of UT-Arlington's sets.
Stephen F. Austin sophomore wide receiver Aaron Thomas (Burnet, 2011) has 23 receptions and two touchdowns this season. Thomas had a school-record 242 receiving yards in a game against Prairie View A&M on Sept 28.
FRIDAY NIGHT BREAKDOWN
Westwood (3-3) vs. Hendrickson (6-0)
Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. at Hawk Stadium
QUARTERBACK: With 1,793 yards, Westwood senior Bear Fenimore leads the area in passing yards. Hendrickson senior Xavier Conleyhas thrown for 11 touchdowns, and he had a 44-yard scoring run in last week's 54-24 win over Stony Point.
OTHER OFFENSE: Warrior wide receiver Josh Bishop has 611 receiving yards this season, and he has recorded at least seven receptions in four of Westwood's six games. Wide receiver Craig Roberts-Shearn only has 12 catches this fall, but he has scored on catches of 29, 40 and 60 yards over Hendrickson's last two games.
DEFENSE: Westwood is allowing 34 points per game, but the Warriors are coming off a game against McNeil in which they forced four turnovers and Sean Hoeferkamp scored off a 62-yard interception return. Hendrickson gave up a season-high 24 points last week, but the Hawks are still allowing only 10 points per game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Westwood kicker Josh Burton has kicked three field goals this fall, and Nick Andress has scored off of a 93-yard kickoff return. Hendrickson has converted three two-point conversions this season.
INTANGIBLES: Since the start of the 2000 season, Westwood is 4-8 in its match-ups against Pflugerville ISD schools, but the Warriors have won three of the last four match-ups. In the Associated Press' most recent poll of the state's Class 5A teams, Hendrickson was tied for eighth with Southlake Carroll.
Who am I picking? I will go with the Hawks.
Thanks for reading. We'll see you on Thursday.
Kanye West and the Reagan Raiders, play us out.