By Georgia Simon
The Dickinson Gators hold the number one spot in District 24-6A football finals which automatically qualifies them for playoffs, the first four teams qualify automatically. The Gators will start their playoff run on Friday at home at Sam Vitanza Stadium in Dickinson against Pearland at 7:00pm.
“A lot of coaches that we have played or seen film on us are saying this is the best team that they think we’ve had,” said coach John Snelson, who has taken the Gators to the playoffs seven straight seasons. “I think that our 2014 team, in my mind, has been our best team. We were 13-1 that year.” Snelson said.
The Gators have proven that they are champions during the season and plan to continue moving forward into the postseason.
“This team does have the capability of being our best team. We will see how things go as we keep moving forward.” Snelson said.
As the bi-district round game gets closer, the team is sticking to the basics and what they know in order to prepare for what approaches them.
“We’re really not doing anything differently, we’re still working on our fundamentals, working on conditioning. North Shore has won state all of the years that they beat us,” said Snelson. “It’s not like we were doing something wrong, North Shore was just the best team in the state at the time.”
The defending 6A, Division I state champions, North Shore have ended Dickinson’s season by beating the Gators three straight times in the playoffs. Without question, the Mustangs is the Gators’ biggest competition in Region III.
“I would say until somebody beats North Shore, North Shore is gonna be the toughest competition,” Snelson said.
Taking it week by week, the Gators plan on finishing strong and staying undefeated in the district finals.
“We try not to look ahead; our goal this whole season is to be 1-0 at the end of every week. We don’t look ahead,” Snelson said. “We have Alvin this week and we want to finish district undefeated. Then we will get to the playoffs where it’s win and move on or lose and go home.”
The Gators closed out their regular season with a trip to Alvin on Friday night.
