This week is the start of district games for Orangefield. The Bobcats had their bye last week. Coach Josh Smalley indicated the coaches and players worked on the basics during the week going over fundamentals, conditioning, and lifting weights took up much of the time in the locker room.
The bye week came at a good time with district just around the corner. Smalley explained, “It allowed us to kind of relax a little bit and then refocus now for part two of the season.”
Preparation for the first district opponent was also part of the bye week. District action opens for Orangefield against a familiar foe the Buna Cougars. Smalley analyzed the Cougars’ offense which is the Slot-T the same as the Bobcats. The two ball control offenses could mean a very quick contest.
The leader on offense for Buna is quarterback Alex Connell. Smalley is concerned that the Cougars do not always lineup Connell at quarterback. Sometimes he will be in the backfield and other times he may be split out as a flanker. Connell is the leading rusher for Buna with 340 yards and their leading passer with 126 yards. The Bobcat coaches are emphasizing the players keep an eye on where Connell lines up because that usually dictates what the Cougars will do.
At tailback is Kameron Richardson another good runner. The big fullback Trent Berry keeps opponents honest in the middle. A good offensive line is led by senior Jalen Callier. “It’s going to be a slobber-knocker Friday night,” Smalley predicted.
Buna is similar on defense to a previous Orangefield opponent the Shepherd Pirates according to Smalley which should help the Bobcats get ready for the Cougars. The Cougars like the Pirates are an attacking defense that does not wait for the offense to come them, but instead will put pressure on their opponent’s in the backfield. Buna’s defensive coordinator is Cris Stump who has coached at Bridge City and knows Orangefield well.
Callier switches to defensive tackle when Buna is on defense, and the coach compares him to a bull that causes a lot of penetration. Kendall Knox joins Connell to give Buna a very mobile defensive secondary. At linebackers are Pate Shields, Trent Berry and DeMarcus Westbrook all three of which are very aggressive. Smalley stated, “It’s going to be the best matchup we’ve seen all year.”
It’s a new district, but an old rival on Friday night for the Orangefield Bobcats. It will be the fifty-ninth meeting between Orangefield and Buna with the Bobcats holding a slight edge in the rivalry. Coach Smalley believes the team that is more physical, more aggressive, and tackles best will win the game.
Smalley provided the keys for a Bobcat win to start the district against Buna. The Bobcats need to continue to hold on to the football having surrendered only one turnover in the first three wins this season. “Be alert as to where Connell is, just try to be physical, and tackle well on defense,” Smalley concluded.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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