By Jim Irish
Photo by Sara Diggins of the Austin American-Statesman
After its mountaintop experience and 35-31 upset victory over powerhouse Liberty Hill last week, Bastrop returns to business.
”We enjoyed it,” Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl said. “It was fun.”
The Bears now commence the state playoffs or what Griedl calls the “third season” following preseason and district games. Bastrop has not win a playoff game since 2010. Quarterback Josiah Monroe ran the offense. Barack Obama occupied the White House.
”Last week doesn’t win this week,” Griedl said, whose Bears have won seven consecutive games. “That’s the challenge: keep winning. It’s live or die, week to week.”
"Last week doesn't win this week. That's the challenge: keep winning. It's live or die, week to week."
-- Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl
As District 11-5A DII champion and first seed, the Bears (8-2 overall) play host to San Antonio Lanier, the fourth seed from District 12 at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium.
In his third season, Lanier coach Sal Tellez said he was in attendance for Bastrop’s win over Liberty Hill.
”Talent all the way around,” Tellez said about Bastrop. “Huge offensive line. Mr. (Ramonz) Adams is pretty special. The sophomore quarterback (Weston Nielsen) is pretty good.”
"Talent all the way around. Huge offensive line. Mr. (Ramonz) Adams is pretty special. The sophomore quarterback (Weston Nielsen) is pretty good."
-- San Antonio Lanier head coach Sal Tellez about Bastrop
Lanier (5-5) lost its final district game to San Antonio Burbank 49-32 after grabbing an early 14-0 lead. Markeis Dixon, a two-way starter, returned an interception 99 yards for the first score of the game.
On offense, Dixon, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound speedster, has 452 yards rushing and 506 yards in receptions and a combined 13 touchdowns.
Ja’zavien Lloyd has gained 1,195 yards and scored 15 touchdowns in the spread offense.
”(Lloyd) is as good as we’ve played all year,” Griedl said. “They’re super athletic. If any of these offensive kids catch a crease, they can take it to the house.”
The goal is “to get off the field on defense,” Griedl said.
For Bastrop, Adams was almost unstoppable against Liberty Hill with five receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He displayed speed, outrunning the secondary on a short outlet pass for a 68-yard touchdown.
Bastrop quarterback Weston Nielsen gains confidence each week. He has completed 66% of his passes this season for 2,651 yards and 33 touchdowns with only six interceptions.
In addition to Adams, Bastrop is loaded at receiver with Keyshon Moore, Jaelyn Gratten, and Brent Carter.
When Liberty Hill stopped the passing game, Bastrop turned to running back LaDainian Merino, who gained 147 yards on 16 carries. His number was called six consecutive plays on a second-half touchdown.
”Liberty Hill did a pretty good job taking away some of our pass game,” Griedl said. “(Merino) had a really good game. We’re fortunate to have some really talented skill kids.”
On defense, tackle Tiki Hola leads with with 87 tackles, while edge rusher Austin Moilan, a 6-2, 195-pound sophomore has nine sacks.
Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas
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