It has been two weeks since the Orangefield Bobcats have played a game. Coach Josh Smalley says the Bobcats did not take off from practice during that time. Orangefield used the two weeks to get ready for the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns. Smalley states, “We focused two weeks on Hamshire-Fannett and the problems they present to us.”
District action resumes this Friday night against Hamshire-Fannett. The first five or six weeks of the season Hamshire-Fannett ran out of the Spread, but Smalley observed last week against Liberty the Longhorns got into the I-Formation and the Flexbone from which they ran a lot of option plays. Smalley comments, “They’ve given us a lot that we’ve got to work on, but the kids have been up to the task so far.”
Coach Smalley indicates Orangefield will be focusing on stopping the Longhorns’ Tyrese White. The junior running back has rushed for over 800 yards on the season. White is Hamshire-Fannett’s go to guy and capable of breaking any play for a touchdown. Matt Conkle at quarterback will throw the football as well for the Longhorns.
Hamshire-Fannett has struggled defensively this season. Coach Smalley points out the Longhorns are young with four freshmen and just 11 seniors on the varsity, however, are improving on the defensive side of the ball. They base out of the 3-3 Stack, but Smalley believes the Longhorns will probably show eight or nine players in the box with a 6-3 Stack.
Senior linebacker Matthew Peddycoart is the leader on defense for the Longhorns. White will also see time on defense as a linebacker. In the Hamshire-Fannett secondary Hunter Spacek is a ball hawk. Smalley believes the Longhorns are hungry for a win like the Bobcats who will have a tough job Friday.
The Bobcats and the Longhorns need a win Friday night to keep their playoff hopes alive. Smalley analyzes what Orangefield needs to do to come away with a victory. Not wanting to sound cliché the coach says it comes down to avoiding turnovers on offense and making tackles on defense. Smalley thinks it is going to be a good game since both teams need a win and will fight to get it. He anticipates a physical battle in the contest. Coach Smalley concludes the Bobcats need to play their style of football by not turning the ball over and flying to the football on defense not letting White break any long runs.
The Orangefield Bobcats play the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns Friday night. The kickoff in Orangefield’s F. L. McClain Stadium will be at 7:30 PM.
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