Yoakum football: Yoakum battles rivals Gonzales

Yoakum continues non-district with a road trip to nearby rivals Gonzales.
The Apaches are currently 2-1 on the year, opening with a 55-17 rout of Bastrop Cedar Creek, fell at home to La Vernia 49-7, beat Marion away 28-14 and had their game at Pleasanton called at halftime because of inclement weather.
“They have a lots of athletes on both sides of the football and are much improved from last year,” Bulldogs head coach Bo Robinson said. “They have used two quarterbacks this year and we are not sure which one will start against us.”
The Apaches are averaging 30.0 points a game and yielding 26.6 points a game on defense.
Gonzales averages 76.3 passing yards and rushes the ball for 159.7 yards a game.
Travis Malveaux III has completed 17-of-37 passes for 229 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Rocky Gallegos is the leading rusher with 199 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns while Malveaux III has 115 yards and a touchdown.
Davonte Smith has six catches for 101 yards and one touchdown.
“Our defense needs to run to the football, tackle well and not let their offensive line knock us back,” Robinson said.
Isaac Gonzales is the leading tackler with two solo tackles and 17 assists for 19 total tackles. Jermane Upshaw has three interceptions on the year.
Robinson said the Bulldogs offense should have had more points in the game against Calhoun.
“We did well between the 20-yard lines; just had a turnover or penalties inside the red zone. We need to get better at blocking all distractions mentally and play football,” he said.