Georgetown-Brewer, private school clash highlight Slovacek's I-35 Showdowns

Slovacek's logoTo honor the loyal football fans that travel great distances to support their favorite team, DCTF and our friends from Slovacek’s in West, Texas are proud to present The Slovacek’s I-35 Showdowns of the Week. Fort Worth Brewer (0-0) vs. Georgetown (0-0) 7:30 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco A year ago, the Brewer Bears took down district rivals Azle and Saginaw in the final two weeks of the regular season to reach the playoffs in Wade Griffin’s second season with the program despite DCTF’s prediction that they would not. With 13 starters returning and more familiarity with Griffin’s system, the Bears enter 2016 brimming with confidence – as evidenced by the scheduling of a season-opener against a Central Texas power like Georgetown. The marquee matchup in this inter-regional tilt will be the Brewer defense, led by massive defensive tackle Jett Reed, against the high-flying Georgetown offense led by big-play receiver Beau Corrales- a Texas State commit. Corrales is most dangerous weapon for Georgetown, having tallied more than 800 yards and 7 touchdowns in just seven games a year ago. Quarterback Chandler Herman and tackle Chase Travis also provide a veteran presence for a unit that averaged 49 points per game over the last month of the 2015 campaign. Orbiting around Reed’s imposing threat in the middle of the Brewer defense will be playmakers like linebacker Christian Cato, defensive back Laurent Swanson and defensive end Marcel Paige. When the Bears have the ball, look for a healthy dose of running back duo Curtis Taylor and Bryce Miller being pursued by Georgetown tackling machine Mike May and defensive backs Brandon Hawkins and Trace Glanville. Austin St. Michael’s (0-0) at Grapevine Faith (0-0) 7 p.m. Friday in Grapevine Ben Ortiz likes scheduling tough season-openers for his St. Michael’s squad. Last year, Ortiz had the Crusaders open their slate in the public school realm against Lago Vista. This time around, St. Michael’s will head north on I-35 to take on Grapevine Faith, one of the preseason favorites to contend for the TAPPS Division II state title. When taking on Grapevine Faith, your focus has to start with massive two-way lineman Luke McCleery. Standing 6’5” and weighing in at 270lbs, McCleery is a dominant presence on both offense and defense while racking up scholarship offers from FBS programs. What McCleery offers in size and strength, Keyshawn Wyatt and Major Dykes offer in speed and playmaking ability. Wyatt, a running back, totaled more than 2,000 yards a year ago to go along with 32 touchdowns. Dykes, a ball-hawking defensive back, nabbed six interceptions. For St. Michael’s, 6’3” quarterback Gabriel Vondrak has shown the ability to create instant offense with a big arm and make those around him better. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Elijah Gifford has a nose for the ball and seems to be in on every play. Keep a look out for sophomore Chase Crabtrey, a versatile athlete who can contribute all over the field.