Burr Oak football coach Ryan Stephens believes the magic number for the Bobcats to reach the postseason is five. The program is 4-2 overall and 2-2 in the Southern Michigan 8-Man Football League going into tonight’s home game against Tekonsha, which is 1-5 and 0-4 in conference play.
Stephens participated in a short Q&A and here’s what he had to say about his team’s Week 7 preparation:
How are you guys doing in terms of injuries?
“Hunter Dobberteen has been out with a stretched ligament in his right knee from a tackling drill late last week. Whether or not Hunter plays in the game on Friday night against Tekonsha is questionable.”
What’s the key to beating Tekonsha?
“Like most teams playing 8-Man football this year, Tekonsha runs a spread offense. Tekonsha is not the biggest or strongest team in the league, but they do play with a lot of intensity and heart. No. 7 (quarterback) and No. 2 (slot) are athletes for Tekonsha on offense and can be contained on the outside if our defensive ends play assignment football by playing disciplined on the ends and spotting, containing and pursuing those two backs to their side. This week, both Cole Summey and Brent Everitt will be playing defensive ends in their last game at home as seniors. Defensively, Tekonsha runs a 3-3-2, blitzing heavily up the middle with their middle linebackers. Being the bigger and stronger team, we should be able to run all night if we play the physical game we know how to play.”
What have you focused on this week at practice?
“The focus of this week’s practice is consistency of intensity every day and not taking any team for granted. Burr Oak-Tekonsha have a huge rivalry in the SCAA and the first game between these two games this season was very close (20-16 Burr Oak). Last year, Burr Oak handled Tekonsha the first game of this season with a 40-point spread but ended up losing the second game to them 26-28. If not careful, history has a tendency to repeat itself.”
Which players have stood out on special teams this season?
“Tyler Hinken, neither a starter on offense or defense, is by far our special teams player of the year. He flies down the field on kickoff and punt making big plays — solo tackles, fumble recoveries, etc.”