Despite being short handed and a bit undermanned, Madill head football coach Wade Couch was pleased with the way his extremely young team battled in last week’s 42-7 non-district loss to Marietta.
The Wildcats’ lone touchdown came just before halftime when Ryan Anderson snagged a short pass from ChristianSmithandrumbled 42 yards to paydirt. He added another 41-yard reception as the squad’s big play target.
“I was proud of the way our kids rallied around each other,” head coach Wade Couch said. “It was really an uphill battle from the beginning unfortunately. We had three guys get injured last week and won’t be able to go this week. When you play a physical team that’s something you sometimes have to deal with. We are looking at dressing about 30 players for the game Friday. I have faith in those guys though. We are going to play the ones we have and they are going to give their best effort.
“We have to correct some mistakes and hopefully we can get on the positive side of the ballot.”
Smith finished the game last week 10 of 16 passing for 141 yards and also ran for 36 yards.
In addition to Anderson’s big grabs, Moises Bautista contributed three catches for 26 yards and Brayden Gray had three for 24 yards.
“Braden Gray had a few really good receptions and Landon Clutter did a good job running the football,” Couch said. “It was the best the offensive line has looked so far. We still have things to get fixed and improved upon. There was good effort and attitude throughout the night. We were able to move the ball some through the air.”
Things likely won’t get any easier this week when the Wildcats host Dickson and the Comets’ new attack under first-year head coach Landon Bryan.
They’ll be well familiar with Comet quarterback who is former Wildcat Baylor Bond, who had a big game in Dickson’s opening 35-14 win over Coalgate.
Size up front will also be a challenge, including a 300-pounderinjuniorLandry Baker.
“They are really good offensively,” Couch added. “Their talent at wide receiver is the best we have faced so far. Bond has a lot of ability at quarterback, and they are enormous up front.
“We have our work cut out for us. I think they look better than they were a year ago.”