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SPORTS INSIGHT: J’ton feeling déjà vu
Daniel Elizondo, Sports Editor - Wednesday, October 28, 2009

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The Jourdanton Indians find themselves in familiar territory. That feeling of déjà vu is back and in a good way.

Jourdanton’s goal was to give itself a chance in the playoffs and with another stunning victory over Natalia in Week 8, it all comes down to one game to qualify for post season play.
The Indians will have Friday off, which gives time for mending some minor injuries and also helping the team rest.

But Jourdanton certainly doesn’t want a repeat of what happened in Week 10 a year ago. Then, Dilley defeated Jourdanton 24-0 ending its hopes of its first playoff appearance since 1996.

This year, it is all the same, coming down to the final game of the season.

“Beating Dilley will put some definition to our hard work we have done this season,” said Jourdanton Head Coach Wayne Johnson. “We need to beat a team that is playoff caliber to verify that we are better.”

Jourdanton’s last playoff appearance was in 1996 in class 3A, also earning a district championship in the process.

Now in his fourth season at Jourdanton, Johnson is looking to change all that and looks to be on pace to success.

In his first season at Jourdanton in 2006, Johnson reiterated about rebuilding the program, “It will take time. It’s not something that happens overnight.” That team won one game. In his second season, the Indians improved to a 4-win season before polishing off six foes last season.

Jourdanton (5-4, 3-2) will have a chance to match that and at the same time, earn a much-needed bid to the 2A playoffs.

Both Jourdanton and Dilley (3-4, 2-2) have only lost to George West and Three Rivers, the only two unbeaten teams in District 31-2A. Dilley will play Natalia on Friday.

Even if Natalia defeats Dilley, the Indians will still have to defeat the Wolves to tie and they will get the nod with the head-to-head win.

Jourdanton certainly has done a lot in the past two years.

And with this team this season, the morale is better – the team is thriving and wants this more than ever.

Johnson’s success goes back many years, as far back as a former coach in George West before rebuilding the La Vernia program.

Jourdanton gave Johnson a chance and has been patient in the three years he has completed. On November 5, the Indians will have a real chance.

Beating Dilley this time will solidify this team.

Beating Dilley will give this team an even bigger boost.

Beating Dilley will mean – the playoffs.