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Noe Ponce (11) of the Wildcats stepped in at quarterback Friday at home against Greenville. The Wildcats play at Kaufman Friday, Nov. 1 in the final road game of the district football schedule. Courtesy/Cathy Bryan
The Wildcats and Lions will clash Friday in a contest played mainly for pride.
The teams have just combined for two wins all year, and while this battle won’t jumble up the district standings, it is important.
Each team wants to put a positive spin on the games left to play, even if playoff considerations are not on the line.
Sulphur Springs and Kaufman shared identical 1-7 records overall, 1-5 in district.
The Wildcats are coming off a 25-13 home defeat at the hands of nearby rival Greenville. The Lions were defeated 47-7 by Royse City Oct. 25.
“Practice has been good this week. We were kind of down Monday, but Tuesday and Wednesday we were back to our regular workouts,” said Greg Owens, Wildcats head coach.
The coach explained the team was disappointed to lose to Greenville, not just because they are close rivals, but due to the fact the loss ousted the Wildcats from football playoff consideration.
Owens said Kaufman is also going through a rebuilding year under coach Jeramy Burleson. Burleson is a former Sulphur Springs coach.
“The kewy for us is stopping the run. We have to tackle well and not let them lean on us and fall forward for yardage. We need to win the turnover battle and correct mistakes in our kicking game,” Owens said.
“We need to be locked in mentally. We can’t afford to make mistakes. Mistakes really hurt us against Greenville,” Owens said.
Noe Ponce took over quarterback duties in the first quarter for the Wildcats against Greenville when Kaden Wallace went out with injury.
Owens said Ponce is readyagain if Wallace is unable to play.
“Kaufman is a good team, they are sound fundamentally. They have six seniors coming back on offense and defense. They also have some younger players who have been added,” Owens said.
“It should be a good game, the weather is clear and we’ll be on a turf field. We want to end the season with a winning streak,” Owens added.
The Wildcats end the regular season at home Nov. 8 against district foe North Forney.