Jackson runs Cuero past Sealy
Sophomore running back leads the Gobblers in comeback win
Trent Jackson celebrates a touchdown by Tyler Arndt in the second quarter against Sealy at Bobcat Stadium on Friday.
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SAN MARCOS -- Trent Jackson had a sore shoulder, but his heart was as strong as ever.
Jackson shouldered the load for Cuero, rushing for 284 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Gobblers to a 53-36 Class 3A, Division I regional playoff win over Sealy on a rainy Friday night at Bobcat Stadium.
"Good players always have to step up in good games," Jackson said. "We have people who need to step up and people have been stepping up."
Jackson's running helped Cuero overcome a 28-27 halftime deficit and improve to 12-0 on the season. The Gobblers moved into the quarterfinals against Ingleside, 35-14 winner over Bandera on Friday night. The quarterfinal game has been scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.
"We went into halftime and told them that's the worst half of football we've played all year and we can't play any worse," Cuero coach Mark Reeve said. "The strong point of this team is they just stay together and play hard, and that's what's been good about this team all year."
Jackson was more than good in the second half when he carried 20 times for 208 yards and helped Cuero take control of the game.
"He didn't warn me about that at all," Jackson said of running the ball in the second half. "I thought in the first half our passing game was killing them and all of a sudden we started breaking for big plays and our O-line started breaking it up."
Jackson had eight runs of 10 yards or more while surpassing former Cuero running back Robert Strait's sophomore rushing total. Jackson has now rushed for 2,224 yards this season and Strait had 2,078 has sophomore year.
"It's an honor to be compared to somebody that great," Jackson said.
The Gobblers considered it an honor to block for Jackson, who often appeared to be caught up in a pile before breaking out for extra yardage.
"Trent was actually pumping his legs real hard tonight," fullback Andrew Thibodeaux said. "He didn't want to go down at all. After a while, I was a little worried because he said his shoulder was hurting, but he just came back and took everything with it."
The running of Jackson opened the passing game for quarterback Tyler Arndt, who threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns, and allowed Cuero to control the tempo of the game.
Jackson scored on runs of 2 and 29 yards in the first half and added touchdown runs of 13 and 42 yards in the second half.
"This is the time in close games when everybody's got to step it up and once again Trent did it well for us," Arndt said. "I don't see how he broke out that last one, but that's Trent for you."
Cuero handed Sealy a 14-0 lead when Dexter Downey ran the game's opening kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown and A.J. Cryan returned an Arndt fumble 17 yards for a touchdown.
But the Gobblers were able to hang close and took the lead for good on their opening drive of the third quarter when Arndt threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Thibodeaux.
"Our line took a little while to figure out the stunts and once we did that everything was OK," Thibodeaux said. "We were pushing them real far and everybody was getting drive."
Cuero's defense did not allow Sealy (11-1) a first down in the second half until 10:09 was left in the fourth quarter and limited Downey to 54 yards on his 13 carries.
"We really made some adjustments at half and came out and executed like we should have in the first half," Arndt said. "We just played our style of game. Our defense came out and got some good stops and that was a key for us."
NOTES
Gulping Gobblers: Thibodeaux intercepted a pass at the Cuero 8 and returned it 32 yards and Tommy Longoria recovered a fumble to set up a touchdown.
Tale of two halves: Cuero passed for 232 yards and rushed for 73 in the first half, and rushed for 238 yards and passed for 67 in the second half.
Making the catch: Cuero's Monte Green had seven receptions for 119 yards and one touchdown and Thibodeaux had four catches for 101 yards and one touchdown.
Getting his kicks: Arndt was forced to kick off and kick extra points for the second time this season. He was 2 of 4 on extra points.
Comments
Here is a posting from www.3adownlow.com
This says it from the Heart Of Cuero!!
"Ah, it's playoff time in Texas. Grumblings still abound by those who will be watching games instead of playing in them. Comments of teams being overrated are STILL being heard around the state. And yet, there are a few groups of young men left playing the game that they love a day or two after that annual turkey dinner. They have been working hard since the summer sun was beating down on them in August. They practiced through the rains that came during early fall. They step on the field each week ,proud to wear their team colors and represent their school and community. And they do the best job a 16 or 17 year old boy can do week in and week out. Let's give them the credit and respect they deserve and applaud their efforts.
I too, believe the Gobblers are on a mission this year. After loosing their teammate, their brother,their friend, the Gobblers came together as a team like they have never done before. Like a band of brothers who will fight till the end. CP22 is physically gone from us, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of many. And right now, many of those hearts wear the Gobbler green on Friday night as they take the field behind a green flag that bears his #22 on it. These young men want to bring a state championship to Cuero for many reasons. But right about now, I think they want to make CP22 proud of them. He looks down upon them daily and pushes them on. On through the pain, and the troubles of the day. They do what they for for him, among others. They are driven by desire.
As mid-December approaches, the Gobbler faithful along with others will turn their thoughts to the holiday season that approaches. Maybe by then they will also be able to celebrate a state championship. And the life of our "Gobbler in the Sky" -- Cole Thomas Pargmann."
November 23, 2009 at 9:05 p.m.Good Game Gobblers!! I just have one question for anyone, why is next weeks game in San Antonio? Ingleside could drive to Cuero and it would be closer for them, why not Victoria, or even Corpus Christi? Who chooses these wild locations???
November 21, 2009 at 7:56 p.m.As a forever Gobbler I could not be more thrilled, GO MEAN GREEN ... State is absolutely possible if you guys keep your cool!
November 21, 2009 at 5:16 p.m.Was very exciting watching our district mate, Cuero kick that booty last night. Awesome job Cuero.
I see a Gilmer Buckeye matchup forthcoming after you sink Ingeside. Now that will be another can't miss game for me to watch.
Now, it's my Dogs turn tonight in Victoria.
November 21, 2009 at 9:39 a.m.What a great game!! Congratulations to the Gobblers, REGIONAL CHAMPIONS!! GO MEAN GREEN!!
November 21, 2009 at 2:16 a.m.GO MEAN GREEN!!!!
November 21, 2009 at 12:55 a.m.