By Jim Irish
Photos by Dustyn Werner
Call it the clash of the titans.
Bastrop and Fort Bend Marshall will collide in a Class 5A Division II area football slugfest Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Waller High School.
This is an eagerly anticipated matchup between teams who easily dispatched weaker opponents in the bi-district round. Bastrop clobbered San Antonio Lanier 66-14, while Marshall overpowered University of Waco 52-14.
Bastrop (9-2) enters riding an eight-game win streak, including an upset victory over Liberty Hill 35-31 to finish 7-0 in district. The Bears last captured an area contest in 2010.
Marshall (9-2) sports a three-game win streak but finished third in district after losses to Randle and Iowa Colony.
"(Nielsen) does a tremendous job running the offense. They have some big-time playmakers as well. They play with a sense of urgency."
-- Marshall head coach James Williams
Both teams boast electrifying offenses and hard-hitting defenses.
Bastrop’s spread offense centers around highly-recruited sophomore quarterback Weston Nielsen (6-foot-2, 175 pounds). Nielsen has completed 68% of his passes for 2,916 yards and 36 touchdowns with six interceptions. He throws equally well on a straight drop back or on a rollout.
”(Nielsen) does a tremendous job running the offense,” Marshall head coach James Williams said. “They have some big-time playmakers as well. They play with a lot of urgency.”
Williams was referring to the receiving corps of Ramonz Adams (43 receptions, 775 yards, 13 touchdowns), Keyshon Moore (45 catches, 935 yards, six touchdowns), and Jaelyn Gratten (33 catches, nine touchdowns). Six of tight end Brent Carter’s 17 receptions have been touchdowns.
”I like to think we’re the best team they’ve faced in regard to throwing the football,” Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl said. “We have opportunities to pose some challenges.”
Running back LaDainian Merino has rushed for 709 yards and scored 10 touchdowns, providing the Bears with a balanced attack.
Marshall’s spread offense features 6-foot-6, 215-pound junior quarterback Kaesong Johnson, who is adept at throwing or running. He has passed for 1,683 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions and rushed for 363 yards and six touchdowns.
“(Johnson) is really big and hard to bring down,” Griedl said. “He throws the ball efficiently.”
Running back Peyton Long is about the same size as Bastrop’s Merino and has rushed for 721 yards with eight touchdowns.
About Long, Griedl said, “He’s shifty, has high acceleration, and really good vision.”
On the offensive line, Marshall has Ja’vein Mitchell, Chaz Oliver, and Blake Chacier, who all weigh 300 pounds or more.
"Not many people can run by their secondary. They have elite speed."
-- Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl about Marshall's defense
Marshall’s defense may be the fastest Bastrop will face this season. Cornerback Caleb Chester (6-1, 175) has verbally committed to the University of Texas and should cover Adams, making it a great matchup. Safety Isaiah Williams (6-1, 190) is “instinctive,” James Williams said.
”Not many people can run by their secondary,” Griedl said. “They have elite speed.”
With five sacks and 18 quarterback hurries, defensive end Lonnieb Feagins is quick off the snap and aggressive. Bastrop blind-side tackle Ethan Bulak should be assigned to Feagins.
”They stunt, blitz,” Griedl said about Marshall’s defense.
Marshall will encounter a defense led by nose tackle Tiki Hola (6-3, 290), who leads the Bears with 87 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one blocked punt, and one blocked field goal.
”(Hola) is a force in the middle, so you have to account for him,” Williams said.
Bastrop safety Andy McCarus has recovered three fumbles and caused four fumbles.
Bryan Pauley ranks second with 76 tackles.
Edge rusher Austin Moilan has nine quarterback sacks.
Turnovers may be a factor. Bastrop lost two fumbles against Lanier.
”We have to control the ball, control the clock,” Griedl said about the offense. You gotta get first downs. You can’t chase big plays. Stick with high-percentage plays that allow the players to get the ball in their hands and get some yards (after the catch).”
Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas
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