When the Second Baptist School takes the field a week from now, Terry Pirtle wants his guys to treat it like a playoff game.
Is it? No. But a win over rival Lutheran South at home does a couple of things for a group that is seeking to finish off a perfect season for the first time since 1999 following a 56-12 victory over Fort Bend Christian Academy on Friday night to move the Eagles to 9-0 in 2019.
"It's kind of special because we have a bunch of kids that love each other," Pirtle said about the team. "When you have that kind of dressing room, it's easy to coach them. Our offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator are doing a great job. They're putting our kids in the right spots to make great plays. It's just a fun thing to watch and the kids are buying into it. It's a pretty special season right now."
One of the things it would do is guarantee a home playoff game the following week. It would also mean another district championship for the Second Baptist School and also a perfect district record for the senior's entire careers.
"It's an honor, we just know we can't take this for granted," Second Baptist School wide receiver Jaylon Coleman, who had five catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns, said. "We know we need to keep pushing. Our main goal is to stay humble as a team and keep pushing."
VYPE Interview: @SBS_Athletics WR @TheJayColeman had a nice night. Stopped to talk about season, senior year and more. #txhsfb #VYPECampus @_joshjohnson4 @nate_dyman @SBS_Houston @joeagleason @abc13sports pic.twitter.com/QZ0H9JJGgn
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 2, 2019
Second Baptist School came rolling out of the gates Friday on Senior Night, especially on defense - the Eagles forcing five turnovers, four fumbles, and scoring 28 points off of those in the first half alone.
"It's been amazing," senior linebacker Nate Dyman said about the season. "I haven't really had success like this yet. I'm just enjoying it right there with them. We're trying to go as far as we can in the playoffs and try and win state. That'd be the best thing ever. We're staying together as one team, one goal."
The highlight turnover was the interception by kicker and cornerback David Nunez, who tipped a pass into the air and to himself on Fort Bend Christian Academy's second drive of the night. Cornerback Johnathan Gooden also turned in a defensive highlight, running back a punt 60 yards for a score.
"Johnathan's just a freak of nature," Pirtle said. "So far, I think he has 25 interceptions in 28 games. He just continues to be impressive and make plays. As a punt returner he's doing some special things this year because people are not throwing at him as much. It's fun to watch him and know you've got a guy out there that can lock down one side of the ball."
HOUSE CALL!! @SBS_Athletics strikes as Johnathen Golden goes 60 yards on the punt return for a TD. Wow!! What a play!! #VYPECampus #txhsfb @TappsFootball @TAPPSbiz @JGoody_5 @_joshjohnson4 @abc13sports @joeagleason
1st Quarter - 1:37 @FBCAathletics - 0@SBS_Houston - 21 pic.twitter.com/zNblpP1xl4
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 2, 2019
With the defense handing the ball back to the offense every minute or so, senior quarterback Josh Johnson navigated the offense to 42 first-half points.
Johnson finished 11 of 19 for 172 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for another one.
"His passion and desire for the game is tremendous," Pirtle said about Johnson. "He stays late and watches video with our coordinator DJ Steward. His leadership is off the charts and one of the best kids I've been around in 31 years."
With the first nine out of the way, now Lutheran South awaits.
Last year's meeting ended with the Second Baptist School winning 28-21 in overtime to take a commanding 9-3 series lead since 2005 and extend its winning streak to three-straight.
"It's a great rivalry game," Pirtle said. "Those guys are competitive every year. When I first got here they were very, very good. And their program is on the up-swing again. It was a tough game last year. It's the final game for the district championship, so I expect nothing but their best and they're a very talented team.
"So it should be a great game."
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