Red Raiders set their sights on Adams Central, 2-0 start

The Sidney Red Raider football team couldn't have gotten off to a stronger start to the 2014 season than its 48-0 drubbing of the Chadron Cardinals last week at home.

But week two figures to be a bit tougher for the Red Raiders. They'll square off tonight against the Adams Central Patriots at Weymouth Field at 7 p.m.

Adams Central is coming off a 34-7 home whipping at the hands of Grand Island Northwest. But make no mistake – this team is significantly better than Chadron, with more impact players to account for.

Sidney head coach Todd Ekart says his team is focused solely on tonight's game and this opponent. Last week was an excellent start, but it's time for the Red Raiders to put that win behind them. Coming out slowly in this game could be costly.

"They (Adams Central) are always in the hunt for the playoffs and are well coached and physical," Ekart said.

Junior quarterback Breckon Reed will be under center for Adams Central. Last week against GINW, he threw for 169 yards and the only touchdown that the Patriots scored. He was inefficient – only completing 10 of his 29 passes in week one – but he's a gun slinger and will move the ball all over the field.

Junior running back Kyler Wormstadt is another game-changer to keep an eye on in the Patriots' attack. Like Chadron's Jackson Dickerson, Wormstadt is another explosive all-purpose back with the ability to break open a game.

Last week, he ran 14 times for just 37 yards, but he also totaled 106 receiving yards and a touchdown catch from Reed on just four receptions. The Patriots have a host of other backs, but Wormstadt is the runner that should most concern the Sidney defense, which was fantastic itself last week.

Ekart wants to keep his defensive approach consistent, no matter what the skills or ability of the opposition's star player.

"We just tell the kids to do their job and get as many of our guys to the ball as possible," Ekart said. "He's [Wormstadt] is a good player, but if we play with the type of relentless pursuit we did last Friday, we should be alright."

Overall, the Patriots' running game bogged down against GINW's defense with just 73 yards on 29 carries. If Sidney can repeat its overall defensive performance from the Chadron game, it shouldn't allow an excessive amount of yards on the ground.

The Red Raiders managed to limit Dickerson to a mere 37 total yards last week and if they can turn the Patriots into one-dimensional offensive team, the passing game could be exposed.

When it comes to Adams Central's passing game with Reed, look for an athletic Sidney secondary--which had two interceptions against Chadron--to be active early in the game. Reed will throw the ball more than Willy Cogdill did for Chadron. He's got a big target on the outside in 6-foot, 5-inch senior receiver Ben Kiolbasa, who will be a mismatch for the smaller Sidney secondary.

Ekart and his coaching staff said they'll have their players ready to go as they aim to improve to 2-0.

"We are not resting on past success," Ekart said. "This team has a long way to go to accomplish its goals and it is very focused."