Messenger Game of the Week: Sandies Take Momentum To Cushing
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
GRAPELAND — The Messenger Game of the Week will take the Grapeland Sandies to Cushing Friday, Sept. 25, for a 7 p.m. district-opening matchup at J.F. Whitaker Stadium.
The undefeated Cushing Bearkats will provide a significant test for Grapeland, which enters the game with renewed confidence after a 52-6 victory over Groveton last Friday.
For Grapeland coach Jordan Wood, the win was the result of a week of focused preparation.
“It was a fun game, and we talked about that going in — having a great week of practice, so we could enjoy the game a little bit,” Wood said. “We have to practice well to play well. We can’t practice bad and expect to turn around and play well.”
The Sandies followed that message throughout the week, Wood said, and their work was reflected in the final score.
“Our guys got after it all week, and it really paid off against Groveton,” he said.
Grapeland took control early against the Indians, scoring quickly and forcing defensive stops. When Groveton began to show signs of finding its footing, Wood turned to a trick play the Sandies had noticed while studying film.
“We actually saw it the day before the game just because it was something we saw on film,” Wood said. “So we decided to go ahead and install it, and it worked. At that point, we kind of had momentum and didn’t look back.”
The victory also showed that the Sandies are beginning to find their rhythm after spending the opening weeks adjusting to new players in new positions.
“We have young guys, but new guys in new positions, and we have until district to get it figured out, because that’s when they really count,” Wood said.
Grapeland spent the first part of the season learning how to work together, read the field and execute in pressure situations. Wood said the players’ progress has become more noticeable each week.
“We were sloppy the first week and sloppy the second week, and we’re starting to learn how to practice,” he said. “We’re starting to learn how to see the field. We’re starting to figure things out offensively and defensively.”
That development will be tested immediately by Cushing, which has won its first four games of the season and enters district play with a strong start.
Wood did not name one particular player as the key to Friday’s game. Instead, he pointed to the responsibility of the entire team, especially Grapeland’s senior leaders.
“Really, it’s the whole team,” Wood said. “Our senior leadership — if they execute and they do what they’re supposed to do, the rest of the team will follow because they’re good leaders, they’re good players.”
The Sandies’ ability to protect the football will also be critical. Grapeland took care of the ball against Groveton, and Wood said the team must repeat that performance while creating opportunities for its defense.
“If we can take care of the ball and then hopefully get a couple turnovers, that’s the best thing that we can do,” Wood said. “If we take care of the ball and can cause turnovers, we’ll be just fine. Now, if we turn the ball over and can’t cause turnovers, it could be a long night.”
The game will also provide another test of Grapeland’s approach to hydration and preparation in changing weather conditions.
Wood said the team welcomes cooler temperatures because they allow the players to practice longer and faster. At the same time, cooler weather can make athletes less aware of how much they need to drink.
“It’s kind of a double-edged sword,” Wood said. “When it cools off, our kids don’t take their hydration as seriously, and it makes it tough on game night.”
Grapeland emphasized hydration during the previous week, and Wood said the players responded well.
“We love being able to practice out there a little longer and a little faster,” he said. “But at the same time, we’ve got to still take our hydration seriously because it’s easy to say, ‘Oh, it’s not as hot. I don’t need to drink as much water.’”
With the Sandies coming off their most decisive win of the season and Cushing entering undefeated, Friday’s game will offer an early measure of how far Grapeland has come during the opening weeks.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at J.F. Whitaker Stadium in Cushing.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
