Headed to Tiger country
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The Pioneers hit the road tonight looking for their first win of the 2006 season, traveling to Smithville to take on the DeKalb County Tigers.
WCHS will be facing an opponent that not only went 0-10 a year ago, but found itself on the losing side of one of the biggest Pioneer victories in recent history, falling to coach Chris Madewell?s squad 50-6. But despite that big win, and the Tigers? recent run of misfortune, Madewell said his team is taking nothing for granted.
?Just like Bradley, DeKalb is going to be much improved,? Madewell said after last week?s 21-7 loss at Bradley Central. ?So if we don?t come back this week and fix our problems, and play the way we should, we could be looking at the same results.?
Since last season, the Tigers have been working toward that improved status with a strict regimen in the weight room. Second-year head coach Steve Trapp, who took over the DCHS program just three weeks before last year?s game, said preparation began almost immediately at the conclusion of last year?s campaign.
?I have always believed that preparation is a vital key for success,? Trapp told the Smithville Review. ?This holds true for anything you want to be successful at. We prepared the best we knew how last season, but it was not good enough. We were not prepared adequately, both physically and mentally.
?The main focus this off-season was getting stronger and understanding what it takes to be a successful football program. To aid in this, we have adhered to a diligent workout plan that we will continue to use, even during the season.
?(This year?s team is) stronger and more physical than they were last season. They have felt the difference in their play from being stronger, and in return, this has given them a positive attitude and confidence about themselves and this upcoming season.?
While the Tigers did not play a Week 0 game, they saw action last Friday night in the Lebanon Jamboree, falling to Gordonsville 21-12.
Falling behind 14-0 to Gordonsville during the portion of their abbreviated contest which featured mostly first-teamers, the Tigers were able to find the end zone in the final period of their game, with Matthew Lawrence scoring on an 8-yard touchdown run which was set up by a 22-yard run from Corey Cripps and a 14-yard scamper by Josh Howe. Freshman QB Hunter Poteete added a score on another 8-yard run.
Cripps had 42 yards on five touches in the jamboree, while Lawrence had 35 yards, also on five attempts. Howe, who got the starting not at quarterback, completed just 2-of-6 passes for 16 yards, and was intercepted twice.
Kickoff tonight at Smithville?s VanHooser Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.