Leave No Doubt

Ridge Point's Biggers one game away from dream

Ashton Jeanlewis
Ridge Point's Biggers one game away from dream
Jax Biggers is the starting shortstop for the Razorbacks in the College World Series Vype

Four years ago, Jax Biggers was a senior at Ridge Point High School playing baseball and football. He played integral roles in both teams' success. As one of Ridge Point's best receivers and one of the baseball teams most consistent hitters with .425 average and fielders, Biggers wasn't highly coveted by college scouts.

Despite the lack of offers, Biggers wasn't deterred from his passion for baseball and chose the difficult path of junior college, playing for Cisco Community College. It was his opportunity to show off the skills he'd spent his life honing.

Lead by the mantra of LND or "Leave No Doubt," Biggers is still playing at a high level just like his high school days.

Four years later, Jax Biggers is the starting shortstop for the Arkansas Razorbacks in the College World Series. looking to claim a national championship. His persistence and relentless passion for the game has paid off two fold. Biggers was also drafted during the Super Regional in the 8th round to the Texas Rangers.

"I never needed to be motivated to play baseball," he said. "It’s what I love to do. Being at the juco level just gave me time to get bigger, faster and stronger. When I got to Arkansas, just playing in the SEC and being around guys who have the same goals as you, is enough to be motivated. If you even need to be motivated," said Biggers.

Biggers' first year with the Razorbacks saw him put together one of the best seasons he's ever produced. He had the 7th highest batting average in the SEC as a sophomore and that was just a precursor to the 2018 season for Arkansas. He and his teammates have dominated the postseason, losing only twice. On the way to the College World Series, the Razorbacks defeated the No. 1 team in the country -- the Florida Gators twice, eliminated perennial contender Texas Tech and averaged eight runs per game.

"I knew the guys coming back from last year that we were special," he said. "About three weeks into the fall, the freshmen made themselves known. That’s when I knew we had a legitimate chance to win this thing," Biggers said.

 

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The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.

Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”

The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.

They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.

Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.

“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”

Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.

What's working

The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.

Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.

What needs help

The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.

Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.

Stock up

RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.

Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.

“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”

Stock down

Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.

Injuries

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.

Key number

3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.

Next steps

The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.

cj stroud demeco ryans houston texans joe mixon nfl texans

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