Bastrop gears up for area with explosive 62-0 win in bi-district

Bastrop running back Gary Jefferson (9) gains some of his 184 yards against San Antonio Burbank

By Jim Irish

Photos by Dustyn Werner

Bastrop has arrived in the state football playoffs, and the Bears are shifting personnel to gain the most advantage.

Tiki Hola, Gary Jefferson, Val Regalado, and Zac Wilkinson took snaps on both sides of the football in Bastrop's 62-0 bi-district victory over San Antonio Burbank in a Class 5A Division I contest at Memorial Stadium on Friday.

Hola, 6-foot-3, 300-pound defensive tackle, also played right tackle on offense. Jefferson, Bastrop's leading rusher, played cornerback on defense. Regalado, a defensive tackle, lined up at left guard on offense. Wilkinson, the team's leading receiver, entered the defense as a safety.

Bastrop wide receiver Zac Wilkison (17) runs with Burbank defenders nipping at his heels

Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl said the changes weren't related to last week's 48-14 loss to Liberty Hill for the district title.

"...Every round you go, it seems (athletes) get bigger and faster."

-- Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl

"We moved some people around, just to give them reps," Griedl said. "We've got some really good players, but we're not super deep. I think a lot of schools our size -- 5A Division II -- deal with the same thing. Every round you go, it seems (athletes) get bigger and faster."

Regalado was No. 99 until bi-district when he appeared as No. 69. Offensive linemen are required to wear numbers between 50 and 79.

Bastrop (10-1) has currently won 10 consecutive games at home. The bi-district victory was its second consecutive.

Tiki Hola (55), Bastrop's huge defensivee tackle, chases Burbank quarterback Roman Garcia

"Good programs win playoff games," Griedl said. "To do that back-to-back years is really important for the players to continue to climb. But that being said, 'Where's the growth?' That's why I think this next one is so important."

Bastrop and Waco University (7-4) collide in the area round at 2 p.m on Saturday at the stadium at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton. Waco University downed Fort Bend Marshall 35-27 on Friday. The Trojans lost to Fort Bend Marshall in bi-district last season.

"We'll probably watch their last four games and see if their tendencies apply," Griedl said about Waco University.

"(We) wanted to get a great venue for our kids."

-- Griedl explaining the choice of Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton

Regarding the game at Mary Hardin Baylor, Griedl said his staff "wanted to get a great venue for our kids."

Bastrop exploited its athleticism against Burbank (4-6).

With superior cutback ability, Jefferson scored on runs of 5, 63, 27, and 69 yards. He finished with 184 yards on only 10 carries. He also hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass.

For the season, Jefferson has accumulated 1,332 yards rushing and 432 yards in receptions. He has combined for 32 touchdowns.

With Dallas Crescenzo recovering from a leg injury and Brent Carter not in uniform, Wilkinson was Weston Nielsen's go-to receiver. The slender 6-2 junior had five receptions for a season-high 128 yards and two touchdowns. He almost had a third touchdown but was dragged down after a 59-yard gain.

Bastrop wide receiver Diego Rangel (11) tries to remain inbounds after a reception

Wilkinson also intercepted a Burbank pass in the second quarter, which the Bears converted for a touchdown.

Nielsen completed 12-of-18 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns. He has 41 touchdown passes for the season.

Diego Rangel had two receptions for 37 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Bastrop's defense held Burbank to 143 yards on offense. Quarterback Roman Garcia spent most of the game running from the Bastrop rush. He completed 5-of-21 passes for 35 yards and suffered three interceptions.

Hola, a University of Notre Dame commit, recovered a Garcia fumble that led to a Bastrop touchdown in the second quarter.

Running back Edward Rodriquez, 5-8, 165 pounds, pounded inside, gaining 94 yards on 23 carries.

"I thought they were super tough kids," Griedl said about Garcia and Rodriguez. "I made sure they knew it at the end of the game."

Bear Sightings

• Griedl said Crescenzo, who has missed four games, will likely be unavailable for the Saturday contest. He gives the Bears a game-breaking threat at wide receiver.

"The longer we play, the better the chance he returns," he said. "He'll see the doctor early this week. He's progressing faster than they thought."

• The clock did not stop in the second half because of the lopsided score.