The Glenbrook Apaches took one on the chin last week in their season opener against Copiah Academy.
As much as that stings, this is a new week with new opportunities for the Apaches, and head coach Caleb Carmikle said he made that clear to his team this week at practice.
“Every week is a new battle,” Carmikle said. “The guys were kind of down when they came in on Monday, but after talking to them I feel their spirits are up and they’re ready to go this week.”
One thing the Apaches have going for them is home field advantage.
The Apaches had to make the nearly five hour road trip to Copiah Academy last week, where as this week they’ll be in their own back yard in front of friends and family.
“There’s nothing better than Friday night lights at home,” Carmikle said. “This is why you play the game. I think every team at any level of competition plays with a different level of energy at home. You always want to play well and put on a show for your friends and family. Hopefully we put a good product on the field for our crowd.”
The opponent for Glenbrook this week is the CHEF Patriots, a group of home schooled athletes from the Baton Rouge area.
CHEF won their week one game after trailing by eight points at halftime.
“They are a big, resilient group,” Carmikle said. “They are fairly athletic and they don’t quit. Scheme wise, they aren’t very complex, but on the defensive side of the ball they play multiple fronts, so that will be a difficult challenge for us. It’s going to be a four quarter battle.”
The Apaches and Patriots kickoff Friday at 7 p.m. from Apache Stadium.