Leopards Welcome Surging Apaches

With last week’s 52-44 win over Smithville, Gonzales threw the District 12-4A playoff race into chaos, creating a three-way tie for second place between the Apaches, Tigers and La Grange. Now those Apaches come to La Grange for a game Friday that has huge playoff implications.

If Gonzales wins, they can clinch the runner-up spot in District 12-4A.

But if La Grange wins by six points or more, it’s the Leps that will have a tiebreaker advantage in a three-way tie scenario over Gonzales and Smithville for that second spot. Last season La Grange beat Gonzales 34-0 but this appears to be a much improved Apaches team. “The thing that strikes me is how they’ve gotten better every week,” La Grange head coach Matt Kates said of Gonzales. “They are physical up front, they have three or four guys that are really good with the football in their hands. Traditionally, Gonzales’ team are always tough and hard-nosed and it’s the same this year and now they have a little confidence, which is a dangerous thing.”

Last week Gonzales jumped out a 30-7 halftime lead over a Smithville team that beat the Leps 14-10. Then after halftime Smithville scored 30 unanswered points, before Gonzales got things back on track to hold on for a win. Gonzales’ Derrick Garza ran for 206 yards and four touchdowns in the win over the Tigers and quarterback Jarren Johnson threw for 167 yards.