STORY BY: BOB WRIGHT
– COLLEGE STATION – The A&M Consolidated Tigers are looking to bounce back Friday night against the Harker Heights Knights after a classic game a week ago in which Consol absorbed its first District 12-5A loss at Copperas Cove. Despite losing by a narrow margin (23-21), a defeat isn’t pleasant, and that’s stuck in Consol’s craw during workouts this week.
In this comeback effort, look for the Tiger defense to continue its improvement, right along with the offense. The late, great coach, Bowden Wyatt of Tennessee once said, “My advice to defensive players: Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in a bad humor.” Consol’s Coach David Raffield heartily echoes those sentiments as his Tigers prepare for the comeback and try to stretch their district mark to 5-1. A win would push the season mark to 5-4.
Harker Heights comes to Tigerland for a 7:30 kickoff with a 5-3 season record, and hanging in the district race with a 3-2 reading. The Knights are just a few points behind Consol in scoring, with the Tigers’ 248 and Harker Heights’ 237 output. Consol has the best “stat” in defense, allowing opponents 157 while the Knights’ defense has given up 185 points. The visitors come to Consolidated just off a 17-14 win over the Bryan Vikings.
Unsure who might get the starting quarterback call for Consolidated – either Jacob Bronowski, who started the season, or Weston Garner, who has gained some valuable experience in a backup role. Both QBs should be ready to roll against the Knights.
Coach Mike Mullins’ defensive unit is no slouch, particularly with extra strength in the secondary, which has proved its mettle more than once this season. Spearheading the secondary are Naashon Hughes and Jonathan Nava. A big offensive line is led by the “biggest of the big,” Darius James, 6-5, 315, who is joined by the likes of Camrhon Hughes, 6-7, 291.
Running back Marvin Jackson and wide receiver Greg Haynes can be expected to lead the offense against the ever-improving Tiger “D.”