Corsicana —
If there's anything Bastrop can throw at the Tigers on Thursday, they've already seen it.
A quarterback that can run, throw and makes his offense go. Check.
The Tigers have seen maybe the best in the state three times in the last two seasons — they beat Trevone Boykin and West Mesquite in bi-district last year — and came within an eyelash of taking down the Wranglers this season at Tiger Stadium.
How about an athletic, tall, playmaking wide receiver? That was week in, week out in 15-4A and the Tigers held one of the Metroplex's sought after recruits, Waxahachie's LaDarius Brown, to one of his lowest receiving totals this year.
But Phil Castles and the 15-4A co-champion Tigers won't do anything to look past the 5A dropdown before the two meet at Waco Midway's Panther Stadium at 7 p.m. Thursday.
"They've got team speed, they remind you a little bit of Lancaster, secondary- and receiver-wise, and they're got running backs like a Terrell," Castles said. "But the cog that makes it work is that quarterback. ... He's an athlete, and he's their best athlete."
His name is Josiah Monroe, and his numbers speak for themselves. He's passed for 2,100 yards, run for almost 900 and scored 35 touchdowns — 25 through the air, 10 on the ground — some of which have made their way to YouTube.
"He looks like a Robert Adkinson," Castles said.
The 100-meter sprint champion and the rest of the Tiger defense had the last week off to while Forney earned them a share of the 15-4A title with a 36-35 win over West Mesquite. The Tiger coaching staff got to see Bastrop fall 36-7 to Hutto and Monroe throw four interceptions in one of his worst performances of the season.
But if one thing stood out to Bastrop coach Gerald Perry after seeing the Tigers on film this week, it's that defense.
"Boy, they get after you," he said. "They're relentless to the ball. There are 11, or sometimes 12 it seems like, guys to the ball at all times."
Perry's Bears are ready to get back on the horse after what he called one of their worst performances of the season.
"They're fighting mad," he said.
The Tigers, meanwhile, got a week of much-needed rest before Thursday's big game, and another week for injured quarterback Cameron Cutrer to heal his shoulder. Whether he plays is a secret that won't come out until Thursday.
Castles said the Tigers took the week off to work on fundamentals. Now they're getting ready for Monroe and the Bears.
"We know we win this thing on Monday through Wednesday with hard practice and hard work," he said. "(Players) know our format, they know what we do."
Perry said he's always wanted the chance to play against tradition-rich Corsicana. Thursday is his chance.
"I'm excited about getting to play them," he said. "I've never played them in the playoffs, but I've seen them. It's exciting to me to see that rich tradition."
Sports
Related Photos
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Maqail Faquir (55) congratulates Dominic “the Bull” Kelly during a game in Forney on Oct. 28. Daily Sun File Photo/Ron Farmer
Discussion
Tigers prepare for second playoff run with Castles
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