Commerce vs Alvarado

09/29/00

By David Claybourn

Herald Banner Sports Editor

COMMERCE - It appears that Commerce intends to take the defense of their class 3A state championship literally.

The Tigers, under first-year head coach Steve Bragg, recorded their third consecutive shutout of the season with a 14-0 whitewashing of Alvarado in non-district action Friday night at Memorial Stadium.

The victory was the 20th straight for the Tigers, who improved to 4-0 on the season. Alvarado, which lost to Commerce in the fourth round of the playoffs last year, fell to 2-3 this season.

"We continue to improve each week, especially on defense," said Bragg. "They (Alvarado) came in averaging over 30 points per game on offense so I am really surprised and pleased that we shut them out."

Most impressive about the scoreless streak is the fact that all three opponents, Lake Dallas, Cooper and Alvarado, advanced to the playoffs last season. And each week the Tiger defense has been more dominant.