Sidney Faces Big Challenge in Ord

After Sidney head coach Chris Koozer finished recounting the confusing math and point requirements involving playoff berths and seeding, at the end of the day the numbers determined that Sidney would be traveling about four hours away to take on the 8-and-1 Ord Chanticleers Friday night.

"It's going to be a long ride, and a long time to keep focused", said Koozer, adding, "we're going to make a stop about halfway there at North Platte and do a walk through to stretch our legs and break up the drive."

This could be a very wise decision, as the last time Sidney had to travel a long distance this season, they came out flat against the Cozad Haymakers and lost a game they probably should have won, 14-to-7. The Cozad connection does not end there as the Haymakers are the only mutual opponent that both teams faced this season. Ord defeated the Haymakers at Cozad 30-to-14 in their first game of the 2018 season.

The Chanticleers ("Chanticleer" is a medieval rooster from Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales") have a strong team with only one loss this season against the undefeated powerhouse Pierce Bluejays back in the beginning of September. Coach Koozer knows his team is going to have to play their best game of the season with intensity and discipline if they are to advance to the next round of the playoffs.

"Ord is a very well coached, disciplined team that does not beat themselves", said Koozer, emphasizing a characteristic that the Red Raiders had trouble with midway through the season, then seemed to master in their last few games. Sidney had a problem in their losses overcoming penalties and turnovers, letting misfortune alter their performance and costing them victories.

"We seem to have gotten over that, and it was by letting the guys know that they don't need to play a perfect game. Nobody does. And by putting that kind of pressure on yourself, well when something bad happens, you start to spiral out of control. I think we're past that now.", said Koozer.

Offensively, look for Sidney to continue relying on a running attack that utilizes multiple backs and changes up their looks to keep defenses off balance followed by timely passes by senior quarterback Arik Doty. Sidney effectively handled Mitchell last Friday with junior Eli Ahrens breaking out for big gains, followed by tough runs up the middle by sophomore Brady Robb. Add Alec Maddox and Ryan Onstott to the mix and the occasional deep pass or screen by Doty, and the Sidney offense could pose a big challenge for Ord to stop.

The Sidney defense will have to be at their best to stop the Ord offense, with quarterback Jesse Ulrich leading the attack. The 5'11" 185lb senior is a threat to run and throw, and the Chanticleers rely heavily on his athletic ability to score points in bunches. Ord also has two effective running backs and will have multiple schemes and looks to confuse the Sidney defense.

"We have to be flexible defensively and be ready to make the right adjustments prior to the snap. They run a lot of misdirection so we have to make sure we stay at home and be disciplined", said coach Koozer.

Koozer commented about how pleased he has been with the secondary, a unit that was a question mark prior to the season, with key members Jon Smith and Coby Haas lost to graduation.

"The experience the secondary gained this year was critical", said Koozer, adding, "Alec (Maddox) and Eli (Ahrens) have really stepped it up and have made some great plays recently--game saving plays."

The Sidney defense will have to be the difference in this game if Sidney is to advance in the playoffs. If the line can be effective stopping the run, and create pressure on the quarterback, the Red Raiders defense could cause problems for the Chanticleers. Sidney has a habit of allowing some yardage between the 20's, but has been effective shutting down opponents in scoring position and generating turnovers.

"We're going to play to our strengths on offense and score some points and shorten the game with our running attack, and on defense we're going to mix our players and our coverages up to keep them guessing. We must take advantage of opportunities when we get them. We're not settling for just making the playoffs, we're here to win and to keep advancing.", said Koozer.

The Red Raiders will need their best game of the year to advance, and judging by their play in recent weeks, it could very well be the perfect time for Sidney to put it all together and come up with a big win on the road as an underdog.