By Keith Brake
Montezuma Magazine editor
This is getting to be heady stuff.
After Friday’s sensational last-seconds win over Bedford, the Montezuma Braves (now 10-1), go to war again on Thursday – that’s right – THURSDAY.
The opposition figures to get tougher as you move on in the playoffs, and it should be against Lenox (10-0), the only other team to beat Bedford.
The Tigers are quick and were able to slow Bedford’s pounding ground game in a 42-14 win.
We mentioned “heady stuff.”
The versatile and athletic Braves have the physical tools to get the job done. Now, they must be really sharp with their mind game.
Against a quality team, it’s important to have quality preparation. The Braves will want to establish their ability to control the football. That will give them big play capability.
Pre-snap things will be amplified in importance. The Braves need to be sure they are aligned correctly. That they know and are sure about their assignments.
If you do the detail stuff, you will be able to play free when the ball is snapped.
The Braves will want to control the football and eliminate turnovers.
On defense, they’ll need to eliminate big plays.
They have had this week to do this; they’ll get three more hours on the bus Thursday afternoon to work even more on the mental aspects.
Lenox on offense is more like Montezuma than Bedford. Lenox runs, but throws, too.
Quarterback Gabe Funk (6-2, 175) has 1,193 throwing yards and 17 touchdowns. He also leads the team in rushing yards with 923, with 22 touchdowns. Running back Jordan Martin-England (5-11, 195) gives them a two-headed rushing attack with his 830 yards and 18 touchdowns.
In terms of style, they will remind you some of Braves opponents Belle Plaine, BGM, and especially, Winfield-Mt. Union, the second time around.
Every down will count in this one.
IF YOU’RE GOING – Lenox is 24 miles closer to Montezuma than the 186 miles Bedford had to travel. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7.