"It doesn't matter if we win or lose. If we don't play or perform well it doesn't matter."
Mexia head coach Frank Sandoval is 14 months into his stint at Mexia and he already has a playoff win under his belt. This season, injuries have derailed a promising team, but Sandoval says his young Cats are more than capable.
"We've had spurts, second halves, or quarters here or there where we look really sharp and really clean. There's parts where we get sloppy again. It's about focusing for four quarters and playing snap to snap."
Mexia will have to embrace that mentality this week as they take on the Connally Cadets. The Cadets lead the district and feature Red Zone Primetime performer Jay'Veon Sunday. The Black Cats know Sunday is someone to be stopped.
"The team [needs to be] executing properly, running to the ball," said junior defensive lineman Dawson Scott, "All 11 hats to the ball at one time and just hitting him over and over early and often."
Mexia may be 0-2 in district, but they lost a one possession game to Madisonville and were within one possession of Fairfield in the fourth quarter before getting thrown aside late. Can you see why Sandoval is so focused on the little things?
Still, this Mexia team rallied late to go 6-6 last year and make it to the playoffs so they're used to their backs being against the wall.
"We just need to take care of business," said Sandoval, "There's no need to push any panic button."
Mexia will play Connally Friday at 7 p.m. in Midway's Panther Stadium.
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