Grapeland, Elkhart Set For First Messenger Game Of The Week
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
ELKHART — The Messenger’s new Game of the Week series begins Thursday night when the Grapeland Sandies travel to Elkhart for a 7 p.m. matchup at Jerry Ives Memorial Stadium.
The Thursday kickoff is a change from the traditional Friday night schedule, but it was not a decision made by either school. Grapeland Coach Jordan Wood said both of the Sandies’ Thursday games — against Elkhart and Frankston — were moved because of a shortage of officials.
While the calendar may be different, the opening matchup will provide an early test for two teams entering the season with very different goals.
Grapeland finished last season 8-4, reached the area playoffs and went 5-1 in district play. The Sandies return 12 lettermen on both sides of the ball, along with four offensive starters and seven defensive starters.
The biggest challenge for Grapeland will be replacing a quarterback-running back combination that accounted for nearly 5,000 yards last season. That duo helped lead a spread offense that scored nearly 600 points.
“We’re not near as explosive as we have been in the past, so we’ve got to do a good job of taking care of the football and sustaining drives,” Wood said. “Then limiting possessions for the other team.”
That process began during Grapeland’s first two scrimmages, which Wood described as opportunities to evaluate players, find the right positions and build toward the regular season.
“We just say they’re glorified practices,” Wood said. “We want to get better, see where kids fit and get out healthy.”
Wood said the Sandies have competed well and continued to improve during practice, though the summer heat and wet-bulb restrictions have made preparation more complicated.
“Right now, when it’s over 100 degrees outside and the wet-bulb readings are up there, you have to take all these precautions,” he said. “So it’s hard to get in a good groove when you’re always having to check on different things.”
Despite those challenges, Wood said the team has been productive and is focused on improving each day.
The Sandies’ defense will be led by senior linebacker Diego Fajardo, a four-year starter, along with sophomore linebacker Cameron Culpepper and defensive back Wells Heersink.
Wood said Grapeland’s small but experienced senior class will be especially important. The group includes Fajardo, Aiden Owens, Eli Deleon, Gavin Ramirez, Lane Olson and Nate Rodriguez.
“It’s not a big senior class, but they’re really good players,” Wood said. “I expect them to step up and play big.”
Elkhart enters Thursday’s game looking to build on the progress it has made during the preseason. The Elks finished 2-8 last season and went 1-5 in district play, but Coach Ryan Blackmon said the team has shown growth through its first two scrimmages.
“We’re excited about the year,” Blackmon said. “We’ve shown a lot of growth through the first two scrimmages. The offense is improving each week, and our defense has been playing a lot better than we did last year, flying around to the ball.”
Like Grapeland, Elkhart has had to adjust its practice schedule because of wet-bulb restrictions. Blackmon said the players have handled those changes well.
“They’ve been really good about being flexible and not letting it affect us in practice,” he said.
The Elks return six offensive starters and seven defensive starters, along with 18 offensive lettermen and 11 defensive lettermen. Blackmon said the program has also benefited from junior-varsity players moving into larger roles.
Among the players Elkhart will rely on Thursday is senior Dalton Walker, who Blackmon said has looked especially strong during the scrimmages. Walker can be used in several ways, and Wood said Grapeland will have to account for him wherever he lines up.
“They like to get the ball in his hands,” Wood said. “They’ll put him at receiver, running back, whatever they can to get him touches, and he’s a good player.”
Wood said the Sandies may not be able to stop Walker completely, but they must limit his impact and force other Elkhart players to make plays.
“We’ve got to do a really good job of slowing him down,” Wood said. “I don’t know that anybody can stop him completely, but we’ve got to slow him down and key on him and make other people make plays.”
Blackmon also pointed to senior receiver and safety Riley Phillips, center Caiden James, tackle Garrett Lively and linebackers Travis Smith, Juan Banuelos and Ethin Cartwright as players to watch.
The Elks are replacing several starters from last year, but Blackmon said the returning players have given him confidence as the team works to fill those gaps.
“We lost quite a few starters last year, so we’re plugging holes in some positions,” Blackmon said. “But I feel really good about the returners that we did have coming back.”
For Elkhart, the game represents an opportunity to measure its progress against a Grapeland program that has enjoyed recent success. For the Sandies, it is a chance to begin building a new offense while relying on a defense and senior class with experience.
“Grapeland’s had a lot of success in the past few years and have a really good team,” Blackmon said. “They’re well-coached, tough-nosed kids, so it’ll be a real good test to kind of see where we’re at going into this season.”
Neither coach offered a prediction for the opener. Wood said he is simply looking forward to seeing the Sandies take the field in the first Messenger Game of the Week.
“I’m not good at predictions,” Wood said, “but I’m excited for it to get here and I can’t wait.”
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
