PITCH—Abilene quarterback Andy Wilson (4) pitches to running back Kane Kelly (5) against Hesston Friday. The Cowboys are back on the football field, this time on artificial turf, in Lindsborg against Smoky Valley. (By Tim Horan)
“They are similar to what we do offensively and defensively,” said Abilene coach Jeff Geist. “It’s not a big change to what we prep for. They run the option out of their spread set.”
Smoky Valley lost to Nickerson the first game of the year, 14-8, a team Abilene won over the second game of the year 21-9. But the Vikings beat Hillsboro, 26-21. Hillsboro handed Hesston its first loss of the season.
“That makes you think a little more about the game,” Geist said.
“They have a quarterback that has pretty good speed,” he added. “He went to the state track meet in the 200 last year. He’s the majority of their offense. Once again we have to stop No. 15.”
Last week Hesston’s running back Kyle Perry, wearing No. 15, was a concern as Perry had averaged over 190 yards per game. Smoky Valley’s quarterback Nick Deterding placed fourth in the Class 4A state track and field meet last spring.
“I’m glad we don’t have a physical team like Concordia that we have to match up with and then turn around and play on Tuesday,” Geist said. “Hesston did a nice job. It was a physical game. Our kids are a little sore today (Tuesday).
Most of the starters are back, including lineman Jake Weiner.
“Just about everybody’s back until Josh (Anguiano) turned an ankle,” Geist said.
The last football game of the regular season will be on Anderson Field located on the Bethany College campus. The event will be played on artificial turf.
“I think the kids will have fun with it,” Geist said. “It’ll be faster for us. The only thing you have to be careful of is getting some of those pellets in your eyes. Justin (Clark, trainer) might be busy flushing eyes out.
“It will be nice that the kids get to play on turf and get that feel,” he added. “Maybe some day we will get another opportunity to play on turf.”
Geist said the players don’t have to change equipment.
“Back in the old days it was like concrete with carpet on top,” he said. “You had to wear turf shoes with little nubs on them. This is a little softer and a little more forgiving. Some of the city league schools play every game on turf. They wouldn’t know what to do if they were out here on some of our fields.
“Some (schools) are buying into getting turf. Some just don’t have the money of it’s not a priority,” he said.