by John Kastner
It’s going to be “Friday Night Fever” when Smithson Valley and Converse Judson squareoff at Comalander Stadium for the District 26-5A pigskin title, with two of the area’s top-flight running backs taking the field.
The Rangers, who took a huge blow at the hands of darkhorse Reagan last Friday in a 14-10 loss – the first of the season –- hope to rebound this week.
“This is the big game for us this Friday,” said Smithson Valley Coach Larry Hill. “We need to forget about last week’s game and focus on Judson.”
For the past month, Smithson Valley was tabbed as the team to beat in 26-5A, especially with what most critics termed, “the best football team that Smithson Valley has had in years.” And now Hill and Crew must reshuffle and gain back the momentum.
Look for Judson to be at full strength at both offense and defense, especially with its supreme running back Kenneth Vincent, who gained more than 100 yards against Lee Friday.
Also look for signal-caller Carl Bouldin to be top-flight in the airways, as he completed 10 passes for well over 180 yards.
Currently Judson is tied with the Rangers with 5-1 conference records.
Judson wasted little time against Lee, taking a solid 20-0 lead after the end of the third stanza, but Rockets Head Coach Jim Rackley wasn’t pleased with his team’s overall showing, saying, “We just didn’t play our best game here tonight.”
Hill knows that his team will have to overcome the mistakes it made against Reagan if it wants to come out ahead against the Rockets.
“You just don’t make mistakes against Judson,” Hill said. “We plan on being at full-strength come game time.”
Judson loves to throw the ball, but can also move the pigskin on the ground –- they have good backs who also compete on the Rockets’ track team. Quickness will be the key for the Rockets, something the Rangers will have to focus on.
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