Sports
Millsap getting ready to face Panthers at crucial moment in district season
Greg Webb
sports@weatherforddemocrat.com
With just five “important” games on a season’s football schedule, there is not a lot of wiggle room after the non-district contests have been played. District 9-2A is a prime example. With just two district matches played, the mid-point of the schedule looms this week, illustrating how critical each match becomes.
The Millsap Bulldogs play their mid-slate match at Paradise Friday, and have been all about getting ready for the Panthers.
“We are definitely focused on Paradise right now,” said Millsap head coach Kyle Coker. “Our boys know that every one of these games is important.”
With Boyd and Chico at the extremes in the standings, 2-0 and 0-2 respectively, the rest of the district is knotted at 1-1. Week 3 of the district schedule will break up the log jam and Millsap wants to assure they go toward the top of the heap.
Coker admits the come-from-behind victory over Jacksboro helped the teams’ focus. After getting down by a couple of touchdowns early in the second period to Jacksboro, the Bulldogs’ defense stiffened, while the offense found its legs. Running back Mat Callan found 90 yards-worth of legs in the final minute, scoring the game clincher to complete the comeback.
“It was good to get that district win last week,” Coker said, “so we could get back to playing some football and prepare for Paradise.”
The Panthers’ (1-1 in district, 1-6 overall) fortunes have reversed dramatically from a year ago. While going undefeated through its regular season, Paradise won the district title outright in 2008, faltering in a close bi-district match to Callisburg. The Panthers were winless this year until they met Chico last week. Coker points out there is a reason not to discount last year’s district champ.
“Paradise played a tough non-district schedule,” he said. They’ve also had some key injuries through the first half of the season, and they are starting to get healthy, again. They have a pair of running backs that are really good.”
Millsap (1-1, 6-1), on the other hand, has enjoyed early-season success, and though dropping its first contest on the district schedule, has been chewing up yards on the ground with great frequency. The front lines on both sides of the ball have been important to the Bulldogs this season and the backs have taken advantage.
“The offensive line has been playing really well,” Coker said. “Over the past three weeks, [running back] Mat Callan has had a couple of 180-yard games and another one over 220.
“Our running game really has taken the pressure off of our passing offense, especially last week [against Jacksboro]. We passed the ball when we needed to, but the way we have run the ball lately, it just really helps.”
While Paradise has spent a good portion of its season getting its starters back into the fray, Millsap has been fortunate, staying relatively healthy through most of its season. Coker points to the training and conditioning over the past year, which has helped the boys endure the rigors of a season of football.
“We’ve been dealing with the flu bug a little bit earlier in the week, but we’re hoping to be healthy by Friday,” Coker said. “Injury-wise, we have held up pretty well, this year.
“Our off-season work has paid off for us. I think the stronger you are, you’re much less prone to the injuries.”
The Bulldogs take the field at Panther Stadium hoping to further nurture their mental health and attitudes, as well. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., Friday.
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