Déjà vu Rattlers
Examiner photo by Mahayla Ybarra Navasota senior quarterback Zack Dyer gives Xavier Sinegal a pep-talk on the sidelines during the Rattlers district opening win at Furr.
Examiner photo by Mathew Ybarra Rattler senior lineman Jordan Jefferson wrestles a Furr ball carrier to the ground in Navasota’s 24-7 victory over Furr. Jefferson is committed to play collegiately for Texas A&M.
HOUSTON- The Navasota Rattlers are beginning to have a Déjà vu season eerily mirroring their 2018 campaign. Like last season, Navasota finished non district winless and began to turn their season around by securing its first win of the season in a District 12-4A matchup against Furr. The Rattlers notched their first win, 24-7 over the Furr Brahmans again this season.
Navasota came out showing a different look offensively with La’Darrin Thomas taking the helm at quarterback. Thomas engineered a scoring drive on the Rattlers second possession capped by a 9-yard run from Thomas.
“We’re looking to change things up where were not so one dimensional and La’Darrin did a nice job. He’s our most explosive offensive player and we have to find a bunch of different ways to get him the ball,” stated Navasota head coach Casey Dacus. Thomas played some at quarterback, running back and a lot at wide receiver and corner for the Rattlers. “We’re just trying to move him around and not let defenses zero in on him,” explained Dacus.
Navasota extended its lead on a 20-yard field goal before halftime.
Adversity came knocking at the door of the Rattlers in the third quarter, but despite a 5-yard touchdown run by Lance Clark, Navasota quickly shut the door and didn’t allow momentum to shift.
Navasota corner Tavarus Baker picked off two passes that halted Brahman drives. “Coach Lipscomb always tells us to be ready in the secondary because you never know what play they are going to run. They tried to take a deep shot downfield and I happened to be in the right coverage and in the right place at the right time and came away with the interception,” said Baker.
“I’m really proud of Tavarus because it was one of those nights where we couldn’t really throw the ball a whole lot because of the weather. He is a really great player who doesn’t make the game about him and I was happy to see him step up and contribute in a huge way on defense at key parts of the game. They are afraid to throw toward La’Darrin but what they fail to realize is Tavarus is a very athletic corner too and he showed that by making plays,” said Dacus.
“It feels great to get the win but we’re still not a complete team yet,” said Baker. “This is just the beginning of something new. We started district 1-0 but we have to take one game at a time, and we will continue to get better.”
Navasota never trailed in this game and found the endzone twice more in the final quarter on a Darick Henderson 3-yard run and another touchdown run by Thomas, this one good for 7 yards.
“We had some adversity hit us in the third-quarter, but we overcame it and kept scoring,” said Thomas. “I don’t remember what plays were called on my touchdown runs; I was just trying to get in the endzone.” Thomas finished his night with 8 carries for 53 yards.
Navasota continues District 12-4A play hosting the North Forest Bulldogs for Homecoming 2019, Friday, Oct. 4. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Furr has an off week before playing at North Forest Friday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m.