Red Raiders Face Big Challenge

Playing an opponent in a higher class is always challenging, and last week's loss to the Chadron Cardinals did not make Sidney's path to defeating the Scottsbluff Bearcats any easier.

Sidney's 34-to-20 loss last Friday not only dropped their record to 3-and-2 for the season, it also cost them the services of three of their most effective players when they need all hands on deck against a Class B opponent.

"Cade Lewis is out with a deep knee bruise, Zak Weiser is out with a sprained MCL, and Zach Pettit can't play due to NSAA rules that automatically suspend a player for a game if they get two personal fouls in a game, like he did against Chadron," said Sidney head coach Chris Koozer.

The unexpected loss to Chadron was highlighted by mental mistakes and miscues at the most inopportune moments, stifling the Red Raider's momentum on offense at critical times and giving the Cardinals short fields which turned into points against the Red Raiders.

"I think we're putting too much pressure on ourselves, and we're playing tight," explained Koozer, adding, "you can see it by the way we struggle to come from behind when we're down."

Koozer focused this week's practices on correcting the mental mistakes and errors that had plagued the team in the previous games, and stressed that both the offensive and defensive squads need to play together as a unit.

"We need to be in synch with each other, and to know that every guy out there is where he's supposed to be doing his job," said Koozer.

Sidney travels to take on a 5-and-0 Bearcat team that's big and tough, and very experienced as they returned most of last year's starters.

Offensively, speedy halfback Christopher Busby has been averaging nearly 130 yards rushing per game and leads the attack while defensive standout Garrett Nelson is a run-stopper with a knack for getting to the quarterback, and also serves as an effective blocker and big gain threat as fullback in the Bearcat's offense.

"We need to keep that offense off the field, we're looking for long drives that lead to points to give them less opportunities to score on offense," said Koozer.

The coach had big praise for the Scottsbluff program, saying "They're such a well-coached team, and Scottsbluff uses the same system that their players grew up in so they all know their roles really well."

Koozer added, "They're a big team and will use their size against us to control the line of scrimmage. We have to stay disciplined and use effective techniques to open lanes on offense and get past blocks on defense. We really need to play our best game against these guys."

Kickoff is set for tonight at 7 p.m. at Scottsbluff High School.