The 3-4 Tioga Bulldogs return home this week looking to find their way back into the winner’s circle in a meeting with the 5-3 Wolfe City Wolves on Friday.
The Wolves come into the game on a four-game winning streak, with their most recent victories coming in a 42-35 win over Tom Bean on Oct. 17 and a 62-23 win over Whitewright on Oct. 23.
“They still have the same Division I, Kansas State commit back there toting the rock [H.D. Davis], and as long as they have that, they’re going to be a top-tier team,” said Zach Birdwell, Tioga athletic director and head football coach. “They’ve continued to build around him, and their big quarterback, [Noah Adams], has grown a lot from last year, so we’re looking forward to another good game with them.”
Wolfe City’s featured running back, Davis, has amassed almost 2,000 total yards and 25 touchdowns, but their attack has grown to include Adams, who has thrown for 1,813 yards and 24 TDs.
Despite the changes offensively, the Wolves still know how to find the end zone and come into the matchup averaging 54 points per game in their four district wins.
“We have to roll into it with the mindset of trying to take [Davis] away and making them beat us through the air,” Birdwell said. “… We have to eliminate as many of the big plays as possible and make them throw it all the way down the field and not just be able to hit bombs on us. So, our game plan is containing H.D., not letting him get loose, and then keeping their receivers in front of us and making them put long drives together.”
Tioga’s offense will look to get back on track against a stingy Wolfe City defense, led by defensive lineman Brody Gardner and linebacker Tyler Howey, that has allowed 23 points per game in district play.
“We had moments last week, and we’ve had moments all season, but we have to do it at a more consistent rate,” Birdwell said. “We need to connect on a couple of the deep shots when we do call them. That’s one thing that set us up for success last year when playing them, and then when they give us certain looks, we have to be able to get movement up front and establish the run game with Greeley, John and whoever else is back there carrying the ball.”
With their playoff seeding on the line, Birdwell said he hopes his team remembers one of the most important values he has tried to teach them.
“This season hasn’t turned out how we planned or how we hoped, but we’ve been preaching to these kids that we play this game one, because we love it, and two, because it teaches us life lessons,” he said. “One of the biggest things I want our kids to take away from this is that how you respond to adversity is ultimately who you are as a man, and that’s really what we’re focusing on right now. No matter what happens to us, we want our response to always be greater.”
Tioga and Wolfe City will get their game underway at 7 p.m. Friday.
