Preview: Daingerfield Must Counteract Gladewater’s Size, Strength
GLADEWATER BEARS
AT
NO. 4 DAINGERFIELD TIGERS
7:30 p.m. Friday
Mickey Mayne Tiger Stadium
- QB Derrick Daniels, Sr., 6-1, 182
- DT Daylon Mack, Soph., 6-2, 297
- DT L.D. Anthony, Sr., 5-10, 302
- WR Nick Johnson, Sr., 6-3, 176
- DB J'Mal Barnes, Sr., 5-8, 146
- DB Ledarrian Christian, Sr., 5-7, 147
- QB/ATH Edwin Mims, Sr., 5-9, 180
- CB Ruben Mims, Sr., 5-9, 165
- OL/DT Jacolby Simpson, Sr., 6-0, 280
- RB Ray Wallace, Jr., 5-10, 165
- LB Calvin Bryant, Jr., 5-9, 160
- OL Malik Ellis, Sr., 6-3, 255
- QB Keris Alexander
- Gladewater, which was 5-5 in 2011, was almost even on the scoreboard, too. The Bears edged their 10 opponents 199-196.
- Daingerfield won seven of its final nine games to finish 10-4 in 2011.
- Gladewater was 4-1 during the 2011 non-district schedule with its only loss coming in a 3-0 defensive struggle against Wills Point.
- Daingerfield, which averaged 38.6 points per game last season, scored 42 or more points eight times in 2011.
- Gladewater outscored its five non-district opponents 132-37 last year, but in the "District of Doom," opponents outscored the Bears 159-67.
- Daingerifeld's Ray Wallace ran for 682 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry a year ago.
Key matchup: Daingerfield offensive line vs. Gladewater defensive line. This could be one of the most fun matchups of the opening week. Daingerfield has a hefty offensive line, especially for a Class 2A school, led by Malik Ellis and two-way starer Jacolby Simpson. But Gladewater has two beasts at defensive tackle: senior L.D. Anthony and super sophomore Daylon Mack, who could end up being one of East Texas' top recruits in the 2015 class. Anthony and Mack played well in a scrimmage against a large Tatum offensive front, and even made a
couple of tackles for loss against Carthage's massive offensive line in this past Friday's tune-up. Daingerfield may run a spread offense, but second-year coach Aric Sardinea wants to run the ball, first and foremost. Whether he can do that with returning tailback Ray Wallace the rest of the Tigers' skill players against a stout Gladewater defensive front could decide Friday's contest.