The Goliad Tigerettes are seeking a third state title Friday against defending state champion Bushland. After winning back-to-back 3A state championship in 2016 and 2017, Goliad has been a consistent contender in Region IV. The Tigerettes (41-5) will be tasked with knocking off Class 3A powerhouse Bushland (44-4) in Friday's 2 p.
m. state final at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. "They obviously have a culture of winning," said Goliad head coach Jess Odem.
"They've been to the state tournament the last few years and they've won the state tournament the last few years and that culture of winning is tough to beat." The Falcons have won three of the last four 3A state championships. The first of those coming at the expense of the Tigerettes in the 2020 state title game.
Odem has stressed that Goliad is not playing against former state champions, but this year's Bushland team. "I think it's going to be a great game," Odem said. "Defensively, we're pretty even, offensively, we're pretty even and serving as well, it's just going to be a battle of who's going to have less errors.
" Bushland will be Goliad's toughest Class 3A opponent, but the Tigerettes' schedule has readied them for the challenge. Goliad has played games against Class 5A, Division I finalist Flour Bluff, along with regional semifinalists Victoria West and Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. The Tigerettes also faced Class 4A, Division I regional semifinalist Calhoun on four occasions, and shared a district with Cl.
