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Sports - October 2003 |
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Mustangs look to rebound |
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Published October 3, 2003 |
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By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer ———————————— At 2-4, and after a disheartening loss against Forestview, the East Lincoln Mustangs are desperately searching for a win against 0-6 Berry Academy.
Offensively
Head coach Matt Rikard wants to make a change in his offensive system. “We need to try to slow things down and establish more of a power running game. But on the same hand keeping our base passing system in,” he said. The head coach also would like to see more people contribute on his football team. “The big thing is to get equal contributions from everybody and not rely so heavily on Hickman (Dennis) every game. As well as he plays sometimes, we can’t live and die by his arm,” he said. A position that he would like to get more touches for is fullback. “Charlie Betts is going to have to step up and fill the role at fullback at times and Trey Hamlin is going to have to continue to carry the ball more,” Rikard said.
Defensively
Defensively, Rikard believes that the biggest area for them will be not giving up big plays in the air. “We just have to work on containing their team speed and not giving up the long pass,” he said. The Mustangs will also need Doug Orndoff, who’s returning after a two-game neck injury, to step up and be an impact player on defense. Rikard says Orndoff will be looked to make some plays. “We need him to step up and provide senior leadership on the defensive side of the ball,” he said. East Lincoln will not have the services of T.J. Smith for the third consecutive game due to a leg injury. Senior wide out Jimmy Furr is back after sitting out last game because of a concussion Wide out Tavarus Freedom is still questionable with a shoulder injury.
X-factor
The biggest intangible for East Lincoln, Rikard feels, is the fact that it’s homecoming. “It’s our homecoming game. Of course the seniors want to step up and have a big night. The team itself also realizes our backs are against the wall after two conference losses, so we have to do well the closing stretch of the season,” he said.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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