(Jourdanton) — The UIL Class 4A Division-II Region IV semifinals are tonight for the Navarro Panthers.
Navarro (9-3) will square off with the Sinton Pirates at Indian Stadium in Jourdanton on Black Friday. The Panthers are in the regional semis after a 48-0 win over Young Men’s Leadership Academy in the Bi-District round and a 29-13 victory over Port Isabel in the Area round.
Navarro’s season was on the line in the fourth quarter last week against Port Isabel. Facing a fourth and five with a narrow two-point lead, quarterback Colton Schuelke ran for a seven-yard gain to keep a drive alive that ended in a Panther touchdown and gave Navarro a two-score cushion on the scoreboard.
Navarro head coach Rod Blount said Schuelke had the option to throw the ball to tight end Mack Berry, but instead kept the ball when he saw he had blocking down field.
“It was a big play. We talked about it in the huddle. He had the option to run it or pass it. We knew those guys had started bailing because we had hurt them a lot with the pass and they dropped to cover Mack and our backs,” Blount said. “And Colton was able to pick up the yards. Knox Gallini did a great job of getting out in front of him and leading him through as well. It was great execution, a great play.”
The Panthers would tack on another score to win the game by 16.
Sinton comes into tonight’s game after a 34-7 win over Bishop in Bi-District and a come from behind 45-35 triumph last week against Lago Vista in the Area round. The Pirates are 9-2 on the season and have won eight straight. Blount says running back Derek Garcia and receiver Jacoby James are big time playmakers for the Pirates.
“They’re a heavy run team. Garcia is a phenomenal running back. They’re gonna ride him all game long (with) a lot of touches. He’s gonna run inside and outside. He’s an absolute complete back. He’s got speed and (he’s) physical,” Blount said. “And if you’re able to slow (Garcia) down, they’re gonna throw it up deep to James, a wide receiver. He goes up and gets everything. He’s an explosive, big, tall receiver. He does a great job.
“It’s anchored by the offensive line. They’re able to take care of all of it. They give them room to run. They set the edge, and they do a great job in pass protection.”
Sinton and Navarro will be meeting in the playoffs for the second time in three years. The Panthers beat the Pirates, 29-28 walking off with a two-point conversion in overtime in the Class 4A D-II regional semifinals back in 2021.
Tonight’s regional semifinal between Navarro and Sinton kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at Indian Stadium in Jourdanton. We’ll have all the play-by-play action for you on KWED. Our coverage starts with the Panther pregame where we’ll talk more with coach Blount starting at 7 p.m. tonight on AM 1580 and streaming online world-wide at SeguinToday.com.