KVOA

Posted: Nov 18, 2009 9:54 PM
Updated: Nov 18, 2009 11:10 PM

CORPUS CHRISTI- The  Calallen football team (10-1) needed a last-minute touchdown to squeak by Weslaco East in a very hostile environment last week. This Friday, they get (10-1) Medina Valley, a team that's allowed just three touchdowns in their last five games. 

And to gear up for the game the entire team has dyed their hair blonde.  Wildcats Quarterback Tanner Sparks explained the platinum transformation.

"The last couple of years the team has shaved their heads, but we wanted to make this a statement that we wanted to go farther and do more than in years past," he said.  "We wanted to make a new statement." 

Even though the players currently look like under-aged versions of Marshall Mathers (a.k.a. Eminem), the Wildcats credit last week's success to losing to Flour Bluff back during the regular season.

"When you are young and you end up winning seven games in a row it kind of goes to your head and we lost our focus there for a couple weeks," said Calallen Head Coach Phil Danaher.

With their focus back, they've turned their attention to Medina Valley.  The Panthers have lost just once this season, thanks in large to quarterback Troy Stein.

"He's the best quarterback we have gone against this year because he is big and he is strong," Danaher said.  "Stein is 6'1", 200 pounds and runs really well."  

Stein has racked up just under 2000 total yards, and is really just a bigger version of Wildcats quarterback Tanner Sparks. 

"They are alike," said Calallen Defensive Back Dustin Marrou.  "They both have really good arms and they move around a lot and they are both great athletes."

Sparks and Stein go head-to-head Friday at Victoria Memorial Stadium.  Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.