The Cuero Gobblers (83) have advanced to the area round of the UIL Playoffs, where they will face a familiar opponent – the Geronimo Navarro Panthers (5-6) – on Friday at 7 p.m. at Eschenburg Field in Floresville. Cuero has played the Panthers every season since 2013, holding a 10-4 series lead, including 5-2 record in the playoffs.
“Navarro is always a staple of the playoffs,” senior linebacker Jace Gamez said. “When we were in Region IV in previous years, the road always goes through teams such as them - Wimberley, Sinton. Now that we are back in Region IV, we are back to that same path.”
When it comes to Class 4A-2 Region IV, the Panthers have been one of the premier teams for over a decade. They advanced to the Regional Semifinals last season before bowing out to the Sinton Pirates, 50-14. They beat Carrizo Springs, 56-14 in Bi-District.
Geronimo-Navarro is coached by Rod Blount, who is in his seventh season with the Panthers. He has coached the team to at least the third round in every season he’s been there. The Panthers finished fourth in District 13, their lowest finish of Blount’s tenure. They returned only 17 lettermen and 2 starters from last year’s squad and relied on a lot of underclassmen.
Their physical, runheavy Slot T Offense is averaging 26.9 points per game. At its helm is sophomore QB #1 Payton Helford. Leading their vaunted ground game is junior running back #8 Kohen Blount, the power back, junior running back #5 Dylan Trotti, the speedy slot back and junior running back #12 J.J. Waz. Their O-Line is anchored by senior guard #55 Craig Heiman.
Their defense is giving up 24.7 points per game. Standouts include junior DB #12 J.J. Waz, junior DE #22 Braddock Gillini, and Sr DL #52 Kaden Pugh.
The Gobblers are coached by Jerod Fikac, who is in his third year. They are playing their best football of the season, finishing second in District 15. The Gobblers scored a single-game school record for points, defeating La Feria, 8320, in Bi-District.
The Gobblers are averaging 39.5 points per game. Soph QB #25 Jayce Guajardo ( 72/110 1179 Yd 16 Td) is 5-1 as a starter. They are aided by the return of junior QB #6 Jaxxon Marie (71/120 999 Yd 16 Td, 68 Car 592 Yd 8 Td), who was sidelined for seven weeks due to injury. Leading the Gobblers rushing attack is junior running back #4 Davyon Varela (149 Car 861 Yd 7 Td). The Gobber’s top receiver has been junior WR #12 Walker Dietze (62 Rec 1045 Yd 15 Td), who has been unguardable for opposing secondaries.
The defense has allowed 29.7 points per game. Sr MLB #26 Jace Gamez (138 tackles) leads the unit. Sr DL #60 Ka’son Roy (7 sacks) has been disruptive in the opponent’s backfield and Sr LB Trevor Seals (88 tackles) makes an impact.
Gamez added, “Navarro is very good and we must be extremely disciplined when playing them. They run the Slot-T and have for years. They are very good at what they do and require you to play your best football.”
The two teams share a common opponent in the La Vernia Bears. The Gobblers defeated the Bears, 35-28, while the Panthers were defeated by the Bears, 38-21.
The winner will move on to the regional semifinals to face the winner of the Wimberley Texans/ Rockport Fulton Pirates matchup.
