The Tigers’ 48-41 win last Friday over the Seward Bluejays was arguably the most exciting win in some time for the Tiger football team. This week, however, preparation has been focused on a new game, new week against the Vikings of Grand Island Northwest.
“Northwest is a different team defensively so we need to be ready to handle the pass offense will need to handle a different counter game. Entirely different defense front for offense,” Coach Rick Ripperger said.
The Tigers worked hard all summer to be prepared for anything.
“The summer program was good. The varsity normally has around 80 percent attendance for weights and conditioning and in that aspect it was good,” Coach Ripperger said.
And that conditioning may have played a part in last Friday night’s 48-41 win over Seward.
“It showed Friday night for sure. You could tell in overtime who was in better shape,” said Coach Ripperger. “There were 170 plus snaps in the game and three players played the whole game.”
Those players were juniors Zach Cook and Alex Panginiban, and senior Cody Newlun. Players have seen big improvements overall from last year.
“The junior class is really going to have to step up this year, we only have 16 seniors so that creates a lot of holes,” senior Tyler Ripperger said.
Parts of the improvements come from the moving up of junior and sophomores to varsity. Coach Ripperger also credits team unity.
“I think if you tal to the players they ill tell you how much more united they are. The junior and senior class get along well, and the sophomore class gets along with the junior and senior classes. I don’t see any cliques forming,” says Coach Ripperger
With these things in mind, Coach Ripperger has a positive outlook for this season.
“Hopefully we play good football. Playing with a lot of effort and as a unit is important. I don’t have a crystal ball, but if we play like that we should be successful,” said Coach Ripperger
So it seems that Coach Ripperger and the Tigers are ready to take on the Vikings at 7 p.m. tonight.
