It is football time in Texas – yes, even in the Spring.
Navasota’s semi-pro football team, the Brazos Valley Cobras, are gearing up for their inaugural season staring in February. Head coach for the Cobras, Lydell Crawford, gave an update on the team as the season opener approaches.
“We have gotten everything together, as far as stadium and schedule. We will have five home games and five away games. All of those will be against teams from Houston or the surrounding areas. Our first game will be away, then our second game will be at home on March 2nd. Looking forward to the community coming out and cheering on our athletes,” said Crawford.
Crawford says too that fans should expect some good competition in the league this season.
“The competition is pretty stout. We have five teams in this league that have won championships, including some national championships, within the last three years. So, it is going to be competitive. Very competitive,” said Crawford.
Former Rattler and Current Cobra Michael Silkhart says he is excited to play at the new Rattler Stadium – something he did not get to do as a student in his time.
“My nephew started playing, and i said ‘yeah, i am interested.’ It is going to be a good squad this year,so I hope everyone comes out and supports us. When I played here, we played at Brule Field, so I did not get to play at [Rattler Stadium]. So, it will be a lot of fun to get to play on there,” said Silkhart.
Linebacker Dominic Crawford says he is excited to play football in a football crazed community like Navasota.
“My family is originally from here, so I have always been here on the weekends. Now living here, I like it. It is a small town, so everyone knows everybody…I remember when my cousin went to the state championship here, the whole town was gone. Everyone was with them at the state championship,” Silkhart said. “So, it is good to kind of feel like you have that support and we are hoping we can get that support with this team.”
Coach Crawford also mentioned that the Cobra’s offense is one that locals will recognize from the Rattler state title days.
“We will be running the West Coast Offense. My offensive coordinator is Charles Wilson, he has coached at Navasota High School before on that state championship team with [Coach Lee Fedora],” said Crawford. “So, he is going to be running that spread, the old Navasota Rattler offense that went to state. We have quite a few players that played on that team, know that philosophy and know that playbook. We’ll be ready.”
The Cobras kick the season off on February 23rd and the home opener at Rattler Stadium will be March 2nd. One dollar from every season pass sold will be given to the Nehemiah Center of Navasota, an after school program. For tickets or more information, visit their facebook page, facebook.com/brazosvalleycobrasfootball.