The final score is not the only factor that determines a win or a loss in football. The Orangefield Bobcats lost a tough one to Houston Worthing on the scoreboard and almost lost a lot more with injuries to 2 key players. Two way starters Matthew Watkins and Cale Puckett were both on the sidelines with injuries as the game ended Friday. Some good news is Watkins should be ready for this week’s game, but Puckett is questionable.
Coach Josh Smalley will need all his Bobcats against the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks Friday night. Smalley says the Hawks experimented with the Shotgun and two running backs early in the season, but have since gone back to the Slot T which they used successfully under former coach Dwayne DuBois to go to the playoffs the last two seasons. Hardin-Jefferson will look like the same team that has defeated Orangefield the last two years. Smalley points out talented players like Logan Thompson, Talon Tilley, and Deshon Moreaux are back for the Hawks. H-J is coming off an impressive win over Tatum, and Smalley confides they are going to give the Bobcats fits.
Friday night is the first district game, and Coach Smalley evaluates Orangefield’s play to this point of the season. Smalley believes spirits are still good for the team although he concedes that at 3-3 the Bobcats do not have the record they would like to have going into district. None of that counts for district now, a new season starts Friday, the coach states the Bobcats have had some really good practices this week, and Orangefield just needs to get after it against Hardin-Jefferson which has had the Bobcats number the last couple of years and go play well Friday.
Smalley gives the keys to a Bobcat win against the Hawks. Smalley emphasizes turnovers last week were critical and admits some coaching mistakes by him probably cost Orangefield the victory. The coach states that if he coaches better, the Bobcats don’t turn the ball over, they tackle better, and young players step up as possible replacements hopefully they’ll come out on top.
-Dan Perrine, KOGT-
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