Austin High quarterback Jacob Morgan hasn’t faced a pass defense like the one he will face today.
Morgan — the District 25-5A leader in passing yards and interceptions — is no stranger to Bastrop and the frustration the Bears defense can cause him.
Last year, Morgan was, for the most part, shut down by the Bears defense. He only completed 6-of-15 passes for 60 yards with just one touchdown.
Austin High no longer has the speedy Emory Blake, but there are two new faces lining up at wide receiver that have proven their place among the elite.
Thomas Coffman and Cayleb Jones have combined for 110 catches, 1,488 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Coffman and Jones, however, are about to run into their toughest task yet — getting by the two best cornerbacks in the district.
“Most teams in this district have played zone against them. They have yet to face a man-to-man defense like we play,” said head coach Gerald Perry. “It will be interesting to see how they adjust to our defensive scheme.”
It’s a good bet that the Maroons (5-2, 3-1 District 25-5A) will test the match ups between Coffman and Jones and Bastrop’s dynamic duo at cornerback — Bernard Blake and Pete Rodriguez — early.
If the Bears can put pressure on Morgan like they did last year, it could frustrate Austin High’s high-flying offense.
“(Morgan) doesn’t handle pressure very well, so we need to get in and rattle him,” Perry said. “Their receivers run quick slants and quick routs. If you give (Morgan) time, he’s going to find them.”
Bastrop (7-0, 4-0) has one of the better pass defenses in the district, giving up barely 100 yards per game through the air.
The Bears’ have forced 12 turnovers this year, which doesn’t bode well for Austin High, who is second in the district with seven interceptions.
There is much more, however, to this game than the match up between Austin High’s receivers and Bastrop’s cornerbacks.
There are title implications all over it, something Bastrop players understand fully.
If Bastrop defeats Austin High Thursday night, the Bears can wrap up the District 25-5A Championship next week at home against last-place Akins.