For one brother, Friday’s Class 4A Division I bi-district playoff game between Calallen and El Campo will result in triumph or sorrow when Charlie and Travis Reeve begin the playoffs on different sides at Port Lavaca’s Sandcrab Stadium.
The face off between the two brothers was thought to have been the first time a Coastal Bend coach has had to compete against his brother in a UIL playoff match.
‘It makes for a great story and it’s a tough because you know how much time and effort goes into the preparation’ Charlie Reeve said. The truth of the matter is that somebody has to go home and that’s always quietening down.’
Charlie Reeve is currently in his first year as head coach for the Wildcats and was announced as the 18th head coach in Calallen’s 81 years during the off season.
Charlie succeeded Steve Campbell who had taken charge of the Wildcats for two seasons after the exit of the Longhorns’ most successful coach, Phil Danaher.
Travis is in his second season at the helm of the Ricebirds after being a head coach for New Caney for a season and Cuero for 8 seasons.
”It will be a fun matchup with two really good teams with programs with a lot of history and success,” said Charlie Reeve. ‘It is sad that these two teams are placed in the first round and it is interesting that they are two brothers.”
The two brothers have been following the football tradition after playing at Victoria High and coaching at New Caney and Cuero.
Charlie worked an offensive coordinator at New Caney for one season before joining Victoria East. Reeve also has coaching stints in Katy Seven Lakes, Cuero, Odessa Permian and Bay City.
Travis took Cuero to the 2018 UIL Class 4A Division II state championship title and played quarterback at Victoria High.
Charlie Reeve said that having two similar faces will be ideal for both teams due to the kind of offenses the two teams deploy on the field.
‘If you’ve seen Star Wars, it is almost like you are being played some jedi mind tricks,’ Charlie Reeve added. They have understood what we do and we do understand what they do. Sometimes I believe that the only thing expected of you is that you should go out there and perform. It does add another element than an average game.”
This week, Charlie stated that the conversations he’s had with his brother have largely revolved around game specifics and other aspects that people discuss but are unrelated to football.
His concern now is to ensure his Wildcats are going into the match serious after having a week break.
Calallen heads into friday’s game winning five games in row and as District 16-4A Division I champions.
The Ricebirds have failed in their last three games, including the previous week’s to La Vernia, which has put the brothers in this game.
