The Orangefield Bobcats are coming out of the summer workouts and the preseason scrimmages in their best shape in the five years Josh Smalley has been their head coach. The Bobcats play a very familiar foe in the Buna Cougars to open the season; the teams have played each other over 50 times.
Coach Smalley points out the two offenses both run the Slot-T. The Cougars do have their own little niches that they add to it. Buna needs to replace its quarterback from last year just like Orangefield. They do have speed in the backfield and will throw the football pretty good. Smalley concedes, “It’s going to be a quality opponent for us Friday night.”
Defensively both teams use an even front or 4-3. Coach Smalley provides the tendencies of the Buna defense. In the past the Cougars have liked to blitz the house against the Bobcats. They have two really good defensive tackles that penetrate and cause problems. Because Buna also runs the Slot-T it will not be as fooled by the fakes and misdirection Orangefield uses on offense. Smalley believes the team that does not turn the ball over and avoids early season mistakes like penalties will be the one to come out on top.
Winning is not everything in the opening game of the season, but it is at the top of the list according to Smalley. Winning the game is why the coaches and players practice, Smalley also wants the Bobcats to play well and see the mental mistakes of the scrimmages go away. “The win is the most important thing for us Friday obviously, but to improve each week to come out healthy that’d be important also,” Coach Smalley concludes.
The Orangefield Bobcats renew their long rivalry with the Buna Cougars Friday night at F. L. McClain Stadium. The kickoff at 7:00 PM starts the 2016 football season.
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