In Region IV there are only two teams that have State Championship tradition and pedigree. Those teams are Wimberley and Cuero. The Texans have won five out of the last seven region titles (‘17, ‘19, ‘20, ‘22, ‘23). The other two were won by the Gobblers (‘18, ‘21). The two teams collide for the 17th time on Friday at 7:30 P.M., when the Cuero Gobblers (93) take on the Wimberley Texans (10-2), in the Regionals round of the playoffs at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos. Cuero holds a 9-7 alltime series lead, but the playoff series is 4-4.
“Wimberley is really good, obviously. They are coached really well. They are very disciplined. There is a good, rich tradition between Wimberley and Cuero. We are looking forward to seeing some film and then preparing and getting ourselves ready to play a good football team. You know we got a good football team too,” said Coach Jerod Fikac.
The Texans are coached by Doug Warren, who is in his 12th season. His career record is 117-46 and has coached the Texans to two State Finals in his tenure. He was the Offensive Coordinator during their State Championship run in 2011.
On the field the Texans’ spread offense is led by TWSA Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year, #2 Cody Stoever, a dual- threat quarterback, who is 39-4 as a starter. Stoever has passed for 2,000+ yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,000+ yards and 20 touchdowns.
His targets include #7 Jace Morales (31 rec, 646 yd, 7 Td), #11 Nolan Waida (27 rec, 386 yd, 7 Td), and #13 Bryson Anderson (25 rec, 376 yd, 3 Td). The Texans average 46.5 points per game.
Stoever is their primary threat running the ball. Also in their backfield is #17 Benjamin R. Barraco Olmedo (55 car, 421 yd, 3 Td), #22 Maverick Jacobs (51 car, 324 yd, 3 Td), and #24 Josh Belanger (41 car, 457 yd, 8 Td).
Their defense is giving up 13.8 points per game. Linebackers #44 Ty Thames (7.5 sacks) and #14 Reid Leinneweber (5 sacks) lead the linebackers. Safety #9 Conner Michael (4 INT) and #4 Jace Cutrona (3 INT) lead the secondary.
The Gobblers are no pushovers. Coach Fikac has them playing their best football of the year. They come into the game healthy, firing on all cylinders, averaging 40.9 points per game, while giving up 29.
Jaxxon Marie is back as QB1 and the offense is running efficiently, with no turnovers in the last few games. Davyon Varela has 1200+ total yards and 13 total touchdowns. Walker Dietze has 69 catches for 1160 yards and 18 touchdowns.
The much improved defense has been led by Jace Gamez (160 tackles). Ka’Son Roy (5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles) has wreaked havoc in the opponent's backfield. Jossiah Taylor (3 INT, 4 PD), Aiden Strecker (3 INT, 4 PD), and Jordan Mays (2 INT, 6 PD) have kept opposing receivers blanketed.
Common opponents are Navarro and Rockport. The Gobblers beat the Rockport Pirates (34-14) and Navarro Panthers (56-21). The Texans also defeated the Pirates (62-21) and the Panthers (47-21).
The Texans have been almost everyone’s favorite to win the region title again this season. They will be favored, but the Gobblers are not backing down or lacking confidence. Running back Davyon Varela said, “They’re going to feel us, when we come to Bobcat Stadium. We’re in it to win.”
The winner will move on to the State Quarterfinals to face the winner of the Sinton/Lago Vista matchup.
