SPRINGHILL – The North Webster Knights earned the first district championship in school history last week with a 62-25 win over the Green Oaks Giants, and the celebration still hasn’t stopped in Springhill.
But practice has been business as usual this week for the Knights and head coach John Ware.
“We’re mainly worried about us,” Ware said. “We’re trying to stay focused on playing well going into the playoffs, plus an eight-win season is a goal of ours. Not to mention, we haven’t beaten a 4A or 5A team since I’ve been here.
Southwood enters this game winless, but Ware said this Cowboys team is much better than their record would indicate.
“No disrespect to 1A, but this is not the same as an 0-9 team in 1A,” Ware said. “This is a 5A school that has players and every team on their schedule is going to make the playoffs so that’s a big deal.”
Ware said the Knights will have to be prepared to stop an athletic spread attack.
“They have a quarterback who can throw and run around pretty good,” Ware said. “They have a good running back. They’ve struggled offensively this year, but that could change.”
Defensively, the Cowboys have played well this season.
“I’d say they’re pretty good defensively,” Ware said. “They held Byrd to 21 points so that tells you all you need to know. We’re going to have to do things right for four quarters to win. It’s going to be a grind, so hopefully our minds are right.”
If North Webster can take care of business against Southwood, it would give them a nice boost in the power point ratings. It would all but secure two home playoff games for the Knights should they make it that far.
“It’s a huge week for us power point wise,” Ware said. “With this seeding system you want to get up as high as you can. It’s a pivotal week for us in terms of the playoffs.”
The Knights and Cowboys will kickoff at Lee-Hedges Stadium in Shreveport, Friday at 7 p.m.