The Ada Cougars nonetheless management their very own postseason future.
Not less than that's the best way head coach Wade Boyles sees it heading into the ultimate three weeks of the common season.
Boyles believes the Cougars must win two of their ultimate three video games to place themselves in place to safe a playoff berth.
Heading into Week 8, Ada and Poteau are tied at 2-2 within the District 4A-4 race. They path No. 3 Sallisaw (4-0), No. 4 Damaged Bow (3-1) and No. 9 Stilwell (3-1).
The Cougars host a 4-3 Mannford squad Friday night time. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Norris Discipline. The Pirates snapped a three-game dropping skid final week with a dominant 37-0 victory over Tulsa McLain.
Ada closes out the common season with a highway journey to Damaged Bow subsequent week earlier than internet hosting Stilwell on Nov. 6.
“We sort of painted the image for the blokes about what it’s going to take to get within the playoffs,” Boyles advised The Ada Information Thursday morning. “We’ve to discover a option to win two soccer video games. If we win two of our subsequent three, it may put us in a two-way or three-way tie with Poteau and Stilwell. A playoff berth remains to be in our fingers. The chance remains to be there.”
The Ada teaching workers delivered a particular message to its massive group of proficient seniors this week, reminding them that the clock is ticking on their highschool soccer careers.
“We advised them they’ve three assured video games left in an Ada Cougar uniform. If you would like greater than that, we have now to go get them,” Boyles mentioned. “We challenged them to go play as laborious as they will for these subsequent three video games.”
Regardless of the ups and downs of a roller-coaster season, Boyles has been happy along with his crew's work ethic and willpower.
“Our children have had an important week of observe and prep. They nonetheless have nice attitudes, and that’s one of many issues that makes this group particular,” he mentioned.
Now the Cougars should discover a option to lengthen their season past these ultimate three video games. And as soon as they attain the playoffs, something can occur.
“They know we’ve had alternatives to win soccer video games and have been actual shut. We simply must get to the playoffs. Then. we might get scorching. I’ve seen it occur earlier than,” he mentioned.
Scouting Mannford
When Mannford involves city Friday night time, Ada coaches aren't anticipating many pre-Halloween methods from the Pirates' offense.
Mannford makes no secret of its offensive recreation plan. The Pirates wish to pound the soccer on the bottom, management the clock and put on down opposing defenses.
“Mannford is a operating soccer crew. What you see is what you get. They’re going to line up and are available at you and attempt to maintain lengthy drives,” Boyles mentioned. “They’re not going to throw it an entire lot.”
The Pirates are averaging 282.4 speeding yards per recreation, with two operating backs doing a lot of the harm.
Junior JJ Hindsman leads the bottom assault with 855 yards and 14 touchdowns on 119 carries. Ryder Tidwell has additionally been a workhorse within the backfield, speeding for 633 yards and 5 scores on 87 makes an attempt.
“They’ve two fairly good operating backs, and each are greater guys,” Boyles mentioned. “They each match that mould of a grind man that they will hand the ball off to time and again.”
And when Boyles says Mannford doesn't throw the soccer a lot, he's not exaggerating.
Pirate quarterback Kayden Leslie has tried simply 26 passes all season, finishing 10 with 4 interceptions.
That makes Ada's defensive project fairly clear — decelerate Mannford's floor recreation and pressure the Pirates into uncomfortable passing conditions.
“The massive key for us defensively is getting off the sphere on third down and get some sort out for loss and attempt to put them behind the sticks and make them throw the soccer,” Boyles mentioned.
Defensively, Mannford operates out of a 3-4 alignment designed to clog operating lanes.
“They attempt to get some guys within the field and can carry somewhat little bit of stress right here and there. They wish to take away your run recreation,” he mentioned.
Hindsman can be a pressure on the defensive aspect of the soccer, main the Pirates with 71 tackles from his linebacker spot.
Lyndon Hamilton is subsequent with 52 tackles, adopted intently by CJ Russell with 50.
Fred Giles has been a ball hawk within the secondary, accounting for seven of Mannford's 13 interceptions.
Younger weapons
Accidents to 3 key Ada offensive gamers — receiver Canaan Parker and operating backs Cody Carpenter and Kolten Fuller — may open the door for some youthful Cougars to make an impression Friday night time.
“We’ll have some key guys out, however we even have some younger guys chomping on the bit to get their alternative,” Boyles mentioned.
Two of these children are freshmen Aiden Lawson and Ryder Bynum, who may discover themselves thrust into extra distinguished roles Friday night time, giving beginning tailback Jaylon Wortham some much-needed breaks.
