Challenges await undefeated teams
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Cuero's Tanner Hoffman learned a valuable, but painful lesson last year.
"After a good win, you can't relax the next week," Hoffman said. "You can't get satisfied with how you played the week before. You have to come out and play hard."
The Gobblers suffered the consequences last season in a 21-6 loss to La Vernia.
Cuero (4-0) will try to take some of the sting out of the loss in a rematch against the Bears (3-1) on Friday night at Gobbler Stadium.
"I think revenge is not a very good motivating factor," Cuero coach Mark Reeve said "The thing that happened last year is we had the kind of miracle win over Bay City. A lot of things had gone well for us and you're really looking forward to your open week.
"They really shut down our running game and they're very physical up front and they made three or four big plays the were the difference in the ballgame."
Cuero is ranked No. 6 in the state Class 3A poll and has won 30 straight games at Gobbler Stadium. La Vernia's lone loss was to No. 3 Giddings in a game the Bears led in the fourth quarter.
"You just look for teams that a re going to get you ready for your district schedule," Reeve said. "I don't know if anybody gets excited about looking for five of them, but we feel like we've had a really good non-district schedule since we've been here."
Cuero is not the only undefeated team facing a stiff challenge Friday night. Refugio (3-0) and Industrial (3-0) square off in Vanderbilt, and Karnes City (4-0) will be at home against Falls City (4-0).
Refugio is ranked No. 5 in the state Class 2A poll and is coming off its bye week, which gave coach Jason Herring a chance to witness the Cobras' 37-7 win over Ganado.
"I thought they looked awesome," Herring said. "I was really impressed with their offensive line and defense. We knew Matt Anderson was the real deal. What we noticed is how quick their defense was and how aggressive they were."
Industrial coach Doug Kuhlmann believes the Bobcats are every bit as good as last season when they rallied in the second half for a 32-18 win over the Cobras.
"When you play someone like Refugio, you can see defensively how you have to improve," Kuhlmann said. "They force you to cover the whole field. Offensively, we're going to see how well we can run the ball."
The teams were a game away from meeting in the Division II quarterfinals last season and could meet again this season.
"First of all, it's good to get to the point where both teams are undefeated," Kuhlmann said. "Now we have a big game to play. It can get you used to that situation. You can learn from this game. You can see positives and areas where you have to improve."
Karnes City and Falls City not only share the same county (Karnes), but also have high goals for the season.
Karnes City advanced to the Class 2A, Division II area playoffs last season and the Beavers advanced to the Class 1A, Division II quarterfinals.
"They're so sound," Karnes City coach Tom Warlick said. "This is the type of team you have to play down the road and have to beat if you want to go further. Where we're at, we need to be challenged. That way it's not a surprise when you're challenged."
Cuero, Refugio, Industrial and Karnes City should be tested Friday night and expect the see the benefits for weeks to come.
"Our kids are excited and our community is excited," Herring said. "This is a playoff opponent. This is the kind of team you face in the first, second, third and fourth round of the playoffs. A team like this exposes your weakness. I'd rather play them than be rocking along winning by 50 points or better and you get into the first round and something goes wrong and you don't know it."
