A look at how coaches handle the many subplots when the impending playoff game is a rematch.
Cypress Ranch among programs seeking to reverse playoff fortunes
How players approach a rematch depends on how they fared the last time.
If their team lost, it’s, “Let’s get revenge,” but if they won, then it’s, “Let’s show them nothing has changed.”
But the result then isn’t the only factor in play now.
Coaches are looking at when the last meeting occurred, how the conditions compare, how much is different, from coaching and personnel standpoints, and who has the advantage this time around.
Of course, some things stay the same no matter how much changes.
“There are several ways to look at it, but if you win the first one, you’re nervous, and if you lose the first one, you’re nervous,” Friendswood coach Robert Koopmann said. “That’s the nature of coaches.”
No scenario the same
This week’s area-round playoffs feature six rematches involving Houston-area teams, and each one is different.
Katy and Cypress Ranch are meeting in the playoffs for the fourth time in six years.
The Tigers are 3-0, winning 31-14 in Division I last year and 59-20 in Division II in 2015, both times in the area round.
Ridge Point and Lamar met for the first time last season, with Lamar winning 24-21 in area. North Shore and Clear Springs clashed six times between 2012 and 2015, with the Mustangs going 6-0.
They’ve played each other as much as any teams in the last six years.
But North Shore coach Jon Kay said those experiences are of little value because the Chargers have a new coach and new system, going from a spread attack to a pro-style offense under coach Craig Dailey.
And even if they were informative, he doesn’t want his players seeking revenge — or affirmation.
“That’s not our style,” Kay said. “I know a lot of coaches use those types of motivation successfully, but in our minds, especially at the high school level, where teams can be so different, the last thing we want is for our kids to start playing on emotion. Then you start getting peaks and valleys, where they make great plays followed by complete busts because they’re playing on pure adrenaline.”
Ridge Point coach Brett Sniffin, on the other hand, isn’t minimizing retribution as motivation. He probably couldn’t have if he tried.
“Our kids want to redeem themselves,” he said.
“It was a game that went down to the last second, and we came up short, so our kids want to turn the tables on them.”
They will have to play a little better to do so.
In last year’s Lamar win, the Panthers committed four turnovers, including an interception on their final drive.
In Friendswood’s case, it is seeking a similar result though it is much different.
The Mustangs beat Summer Creek 27-19 in Week 4.
That game was postponed by Hurricane Harvey — and last year’s was canceled after a long lightning delay, with Friendswood up 7-0 in the first quarter — and they’re on their third quarterback since then.
Senior Garrett Hurst was the starter early in this post-Tyler Page campaign, sophomore Christian Lee took the controls midseason, and now freshman Luke Grden is preparing for his third start.
Grden has seven touchdown passes in the last two games.
“We try to worry about us,” Koopmann said.
“You’ve got to watch video and all that, but we control what we can control, and everything else takes care of itself.
“But they’re going to be motivated. We beat them, but they made a little comeback at the end and probably feel like they didn’t play real well, so they’re thinking if they play well, they’ve got a great shot.”
Foster an underdog
Outside 6A, El Campo and Kilgore are meeting in the 4A Division I playoffs for the second time in three years — El Campo won 3123 in 2015 — and Foster and Dripping Springs are reuniting in 5A.
Foster and Dripping Springs were evenly matched when the Falcons rolled 51-28 in last year’s regional finals.
This season, the undefeated Tigers (11-0), who returned more players, are heavy favorites against Foster (7-3).
“We’re using that as motivation, but we don’t feel like we’re underdogs,” coach Shaun McDowell said.
Regardless, McDowell anticipates a much different type of contest to play out in Round 2.
“Last year, we were able to score at will, then we eased up,” he said. “I’m expecting a slower-paced game (this season), maybe a little bit more physical than last year. A lot of that was big plays, and this year I think it’s going to be more of, you’ve got to earn it, on both sides.”