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Smithville preparing for life on road
By Scott Tittrington
From this point forward in the 2008 football season, Smithville High might want to consider revising its nickname to “Road Warriors.”
Coach Greg Smith’s squad will play four of its final five regular-season games on the road, starting with a trek to St. Joseph on Friday, Oct. 3, for a Week 6 clash against Bishop LeBlond.
The only time Smithville (3-2) will again play at the cozy confines of Warrior Field comes in Week 8 when it hosts Cameron in the district opener for both teams.
“It’s definitely a challenge,” Smith said. “Kids are creatures of habit and they like routines, and whenever we travel, it’s a different routine.
“At the same time, the history of our kids is typically we perform pretty well on the road. So hopefully, that will continue over the next four or five games.”
On paper, the Warriors are getting the right opponent at the right time to begin such a road-intensive stretch.
In the preseason Midland Empire Conference coaches poll, LeBlond (1-4) was picked to finish in the basement, and has done little to sway that opinion, having dropped four consecutive games after opening with a Week 1 victory against Mid-Buchanan.
However, Smith is putting the most stock in what he witnessed on film from last Friday’s action, when the Golden Eagles put a scare into unbeaten Savannah before falling apart late in a 28-17 loss.
“Their record doesn’t necessarily match up with their ability. They’re better than their record would indicate,” Smith said. “For instance, last week against Savannah, they were controlling the game well into the third quarter.
“They’re a solid football team, and we’re going to have to play a good football game, especially on the road. Playing in St. Joe is not an easy task.”
Last week, the Warriors were up to the challenge against St. Joseph Lafayette, allowing multi-talented quarterback Bryston Williams to land some punches, but never deliver the knockout blow.
Against LeBlond, the focal point will be senior wide receiver Pat Lawhon, the go-to performer in the Golden Eagles’ multiple-look offense.
“They get him the ball in many different ways,” Smith said. “He’s their top weapon and someone we’re going to have to pay attention to.”
Meanwhile, Smithville will look to exploit yet another defense that likes to pack people in the box and stop the run.
That should mean an expanded role for senior quarterback Brent Hastings
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Coach Greg Smith’s squad will play four of its final five regular-season games on the road, starting with a trek to St. Joseph on Friday, Oct. 3, for a Week 6 clash against Bishop LeBlond.
The only time Smithville (3-2) will again play at the cozy confines of Warrior Field comes in Week 8 when it hosts Cameron in the district opener for both teams.
“It’s definitely a challenge,” Smith said. “Kids are creatures of habit and they like routines, and whenever we travel, it’s a different routine.
“At the same time, the history of our kids is typically we perform pretty well on the road. So hopefully, that will continue over the next four or five games.”
On paper, the Warriors are getting the right opponent at the right time to begin such a road-intensive stretch.
In the preseason Midland Empire Conference coaches poll, LeBlond (1-4) was picked to finish in the basement, and has done little to sway that opinion, having dropped four consecutive games after opening with a Week 1 victory against Mid-Buchanan.
However, Smith is putting the most stock in what he witnessed on film from last Friday’s action, when the Golden Eagles put a scare into unbeaten Savannah before falling apart late in a 28-17 loss.
“Their record doesn’t necessarily match up with their ability. They’re better than their record would indicate,” Smith said. “For instance, last week against Savannah, they were controlling the game well into the third quarter.
“They’re a solid football team, and we’re going to have to play a good football game, especially on the road. Playing in St. Joe is not an easy task.”
Last week, the Warriors were up to the challenge against St. Joseph Lafayette, allowing multi-talented quarterback Bryston Williams to land some punches, but never deliver the knockout blow.
Against LeBlond, the focal point will be senior wide receiver Pat Lawhon, the go-to performer in the Golden Eagles’ multiple-look offense.
“They get him the ball in many different ways,” Smith said. “He’s their top weapon and someone we’re going to have to pay attention to.”
Meanwhile, Smithville will look to exploit yet another defense that likes to pack people in the box and stop the run.
That should mean an expanded role for senior quarterback Brent Hastings