The Hornets couldn’t stop the running of Eureka and were blown out 52-14 in non-league play last Friday.
The only thing Hornets (1-2 overall, 0-1 Division IV Southern) coach James Robertson could be thankful for was that it didn’t count.
“Thank goodness it was a non-league game,” he said. “We have to win every game to even be in the playoffs. From now on, all the games count.”
He said his team just needs to focus on not making mental mistakes to beat Sandy Valley today.
“We missed blocking assignments the last two games, threw some pick sixes and even made some mistakes on special teams,” the coach said. “Against Sandy Valley our team must stop making mistakes.”
The coach said last year’s game against the Sidewinders was close.
“It came down to the fourth quarter and our defense made some key stops,” he said. “We have to do that again. We need to stop the run. Last year it basically came down to which team scored last and won the game and I think it will be that way again.”
Robertson said Sandy Valley (2-1, 1-0) has this running back named Logan Shelton, who had 311 yards against Round Mountain last week. The player is 6 feet 1 inch tall and 200 pounds and averages 20 yards per carry. Sandy Valley rushed for 472 yards against Round Mountain and only passed for 43.
“If we can stop their rushing game we will win,” the coach said.
Last season Beatty won all its games, with the exception of Spring Mountain and Alamo and went to the playoffs. If the Hornets want to go down that road today, then they’ve got to play defense this afternoon.
The game will be a home game for Beatty at 3 p.m.
In other Division IV games, Tonopah (2-1, 0-1) is coming off a horrendous loss to Alamo, 64-6. The Panthers rushed for 149 yards, while passing for 243 yards.
Alamo completely shut down the run and allowed only 58-yards rushing. The Muckers will play Indian Springs this weekend. Muckers coach Duffy Otteson hopes to use the Thunderbirds as a doormat this Friday night.