The Bellville Brahmas have memories like an elephant.
Bellville was rolling to an 11-0 season last year before stubbing their toe in a 9-3 heartbreaker to Madisonville in the second round of the postseason.
“I think our kids came in this year really upset about how we finished last year,” coach Grady Rowe said. “I don’t think we were mentally prepared for that game, and the kids haven’t forgotten about it since. We haven't let them forget about it either. It was a motivating factor all offseason, the summer and even until now.”
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Fast forward to the present and the Brahmas are 14-0 and the only thing standing in front of a State Final appearance is Wimberley High. The game will be played at The Pfield in Pflugerville this Friday night.
“The last time we went this far was in 2012,” Rowe laughed. “I asked our players how old they were then? I think they were about six-years-old.
“Wimberley is a lot like us,” he said. “They are a physical football team, and it could come down to field position and special teams. We are similar without being similar, but we both know it will come down to the little details.”
The Brahmas run, run and run the ball with the likes of DD Murray, Sam Hranicky and Corrian Hood.
“We are a three-headed monster,” he said. “DeDe gets all the publicity because he’s such a dynamic athletic. Sam is a hard-nosed Slot T guy… we call him ‘The Machine’. Corrian is so selfless and has had a quiet 1,200 yards. He’s also a great blocker. Our offensive line has gotten better throughout the season, without question.”
The defense has been tremendously stingy, giving up a paltry five points per game.
Carrying the banner on defense is defensive end DJ Sanders, who is wreaking havoc offenses and QBs with 13 sacks on the season. Cory Richardson and Gavin Mays have had big campaigns to compliment Sanders up front. Connor Gaines and Jacob Shepherd anchor the LB corps, while Hunter Kunkel and Khaymon Jones patrol the secondary.
“DJ makes things easy to game plan for, while Cory has a non-stop motor,” Rowe said. “The LBs has been phenomenal and the secondary just got better each week.”
Rowe has built a successful program over the past decade at Bellville, but this year is a little different.
“Football is important here,” he said. “The community allows us to coach their kids hard and the kid are expected to work hard. That formula has worked for us over the years, but there is a little more electricity in the air right now. You can feel it.”