Navasota Rattlers (0-3) @ Madisonville Mustangs (1-2)

Last Meeting: 2018:

Madisonville 48,

Navasota 14;

Madisonville capitalized on three Navasota turnovers and didn’t surrender any. The Mustangs out-gained the Rattlers 407 yards to 187 including 380 yards on the ground. Zack Dyer completed two touchdown passes, a 64-yarder to Darius Randle and one to La’Darrin Thomas good for 46 yards. Dyer’s night ended with six completions on 10 attempts for 142 yards with an interception to accompany his two touchdown passes. The Rattlers were limited to 45 yards rushing.

Series Record: Navasota leads the series 9-3; 2018: Madisonville 48, Navasota 0; 2013: Navasota 49, Madisonville 0; 2012: Navasota 38, Madisonville 0; 2011: Navasota 40, Madisonville 7; 2010: Navasota 35, Madisonville 14;

Last Week: Caldwell 12, Madisonville 6; Rudder 41, Navasota 24;

2019: Madisonville- At Bellville (L) 18-15; At Woodville (W) 55-12; VS Caldwell (L) 12-6; Navasota- At Bellaire Episcopal (L) 28-3; VS Sealy (L) 29-0; VS Rudder (L) 41-24;

The Matchup:

Madisonville is a run heavy offense led by senior Roderick Holiday. All three of Holiday’s rushing touchdowns came in his best performance of the game against Wood-ville. He rushed for 194 yards in the game. Junior quarterback Armando Lee Flores II has completed over half of his pass attempts (26-41) for 349 yards and two touchdowns. His best performance was last week against Caldwell where he completed 15 of his 21 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Flores hasn’t thrown an interception this season.

Navasota finally found its offensive stride in the loss to Rudder scoring its only three touchdowns of the season. Rattler quarterback Zack Dyer completed six of his 17 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Dyer also carried the ball seven times for 38 yards and a touchdown. Navasota receivers Tavarus Baker and La’Darrin Thomas had breakout games. Baker hauled in two catches for 107 yards including a 76-yard touchdown catch. Thomas caught three passes for 77 yards with a long of 45 yards and a 27-yard touchdown. Navasota defense continued to play well but wore down and surrendered a few big plays in the second half.

Keys to Victory: Navasota has shown spurts of great football, but turnovers have been its demise. The Rattlers need to put together a complete game and eliminate or at least limit their turnovers. The defense has played a solid first half in each of its games this season, but the offense not producing, and turnovers have caused the defense to wear down in the second half.

Madisonville will need to continue to pound the ball on the ground. Their offense has produced great numbers on the ground and if they are able to wear on the Rattler defense with long drives then they will be in a good place to pick up the victory. Defensively they will have to limit the big play. Navasota has the potential to strike fast with their passing game, but the Mustangs will need to apply pressure on Dyer and try to contain big play receivers Baker and Thomas.