After last weeks emotional regional final win over West Orange Stark 35-28, the Silsbee Tigers are, for the second straight year, playing for the state finals in Dallas. With last years 29-24 semifinal loss to Cuero, Silsbee has yet to make the big dance but Friday night's game against Wimberly could be a program defining win for Randy Smith's squad.
"All year we've been talking to our kids about finishing what you do," said Silsbee head coach Randy Smith.
"We're a little bit more focused this year on what it is we need to do."
The Tigers (9-4) will take on a solid Wimberly (11-3) team that features a balanced attack with senior QB Cooper McCollum (3,172 yds passing) and sophomore running back Moses Wray (1,165 yds rushing). McCollum is coming off a five touchdown passing game versus Geronimo Navarro in their regional final contest and is peaking at an optimal time.
The key for a Silsbee win will be to shut down Wimberly's offensive machine.
"We're going to have to put pressure on the quarterback and be sound in coverage," said Smith.
"They're really good up front, McCollum's allusive in the pocket, they don't give up a ton of sacks, they're really good on offense."
The Tigers will counter on offense with running backs Chris Martin and Dralyn Taylor who were instrumental in last weeks win over WOS.
It was Taylor's 23 yard touchdown run with just under two minutes left that counter-punched Silsbee to victory.
Taylor leads the winningest senior class in the history of Silsbee football.
"This group of seniors will be playing their 13th playoff game," said Smith.
Playing for history is much harder than playing from the past.
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VYPE SeTX Podcast: Silsbee HC Randy Smith
"I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." - Thomas Jefferson