Bearkats look to end Bobcat dominance in oldest rivalry
11/20/2010 7:13:00 AM | Football
Cody Stark -The Huntsville Item
Who would have thought that the Bearkats would be in the position to finish the season with a winning record after all the player turnover and the addition of a new coaching staff?
That is exactly what is on the line today when Sam Houston State (3-3 in Southland Conference, 5-5 overall) welcomes Texas State to Bowers Stadium in what could be the Bobcats' last visit to Huntsville.
"This is a huge game for us. I told our guys this is an opportunity to have a winning season, an opportunity to have a winning record in conference and if things fall the right way, we could end up third in conference," Fritz said.
Texas State (1-5, 4-6) limps into today's contest having lost five of its last six games, including two in a row to Central Arkansas (49-17) and McNeese State (36-6).
But like all wounded animals, the Bobcats, who have had to deal with multiple injuries this season, are dangerous, especially at Bowers Stadium.
Texas State has knocked off the Bearkats in its previous two trips to Huntsville, winning 48-45 in overtime in 2008 and 28-21 in 2007, which prevented Sam Houston from claiming a share of the SLC title.
The Bobcats are also the only team which has beaten Stephen F. Austin in conference action this year, rallying from a 24-point deficit in the fourth quarter en route to a 27-24 victory in Nacogdoches on Oct. 30.
"They have had a good ballclub the last few years, and they are very talented," Fritz said. "Seeing them beat SFA like they did, you know they have a lot of ability. They have one of the premier wide receivers (Da'Marcus Griggs) in our conference and they have a running back (Karrington Bush) who has rushed for over 1,000 yards a couple of times.
"They have a quick quarterback, who can beat you with his feet and his arm, and defensively, they don't give up very many big plays. They are a good overall squad that has had a run of tough luck this season like we have. We have to bring our A game. I told the guys not to save it for next week because we aren't playing next week."
The Bearkats were rolling right along with a four-game winning streak, including a pair of wins to open conference play, after opening the season with two straight losses. But a string of close setbacks to SFA, Northwestern State and McNeese State by a combined 11 points, knocked Sam Houston out of SLC championship contention.
The Kats rebounded with a huge win on the road against Central Arkansas last week. Sam Houston's defense held off a late rally by the Bears to post a 20-13 victory.
"That was a big win for us," Fritz said about the UCA game. "That is a long trip up there and we started off well, but we got a little stagnant. The defense really came to play and they had to the last couple of drives.
"That was a big win for us. It was a character win. I told the kids after the game that they could have folded up the tent and not played very well, but our guys were as fired up before a game this season as I have seen. I told them we need to do that one more time."
Even though the season comes to an end today, there is a lot left to play for. The Bearkats could send the seniors out on a high note, and the young guys would have something to build off of heading into the offseason.
This could also be the last time Sam Houston gets a shot at ending the home-losing streak to the Bobcats, since Texas State will be joining the Western Athletic Conference in 2012.
"This is a great opportunity for us to spring board into next season with the guys that are coming back," Fritz said. "Also, this sends the seniors out with a good taste in their mouths. They have bought into what I'm selling and I have had zero problems with them. All of them have done a great job with leadership throughout the year and a win would be a great send off for them."
The annual "Bearkat-Bobcat Battle" with Texas State will be "Kids' Day" at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium. Youngsters 17 years of age and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket. Up to four youngsters may accompany each adult.
The Villas of Sycamore is sponsoring "Show Your Spirit Day" for the final game as well. Prizes include a 42-inch Sony LED big screen television, a Garmin NUVI 1300 GPS system and an 8GB IPOD Nano. Any currently enrolled Sam Houston student may participate.
To enter, stop by the Villas of Sycamore tent at the Bearkat Alley Tailgate at 1 p.m. for the Villas of Sycamore "Show Your Spirit" prelims. Each entrant will have the opportunity to show his or her Bearkat spirit for the judges. Three finalists will be chosen for the finals to be held during halftime of the football game. Contestants will be judged on dress, school spirit and dance moves.
Tickets for the Sam Houston vs. Texas State football game and other Bearkat home events are on sale online now at www.gobearkats.com/tickets . Fans also may purchase tickets at the Sam Houston office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
