Gans Grizzlies have strong finish to lone preseason scrimmage, open season Thursday at Keota
The Gans Grizzlies football team had its lone preseason scrimmage in a threeway against Cave Springs, Midway and Wilson (Henryetta) on Friday night at Grizzly Field.
The Gans Grizzlies football team had its lone preseason scrimmage in a threeway against Cave Springs, Midway and Wilson (Henryetta) on Friday night at Grizzly Field.
The Grizzlies did not hit paydirt during the night, but Gans new football coach Gary Hixon believed his team got better as the scrimmage went on.
“I think initially we came out, for lack of a better word, lethargic, or maybe just a little bit intimidated,” Hixon said. “As the night progressed, we had more confidence in what we were doing, especially on defense, and we made better plays. So, after going through everything, overall we played pretty well.”
The Grizzlies will begin the regular season at 7 p.m. Thursday at Keota. Hixon said there are several things that need to get fixed by Thursday night’s opening kickoff.
“I want to make sure we can handle the ball, and keep the ball in our possession,” he said. “We put it on the ground several times Friday night. We just need to play with confidence and reacting to the play as you see it. We have to trust our eyes, and do what we’re supposed to do.”
Beginning Thursday night, the games will be for real as the Grizzlies travel to meet the Lions.
“We’re excited,” Hixon said. “We can’t wait for Thursday night to get here. It makes it a very short week, though, in getting prepared and trying to fit everything in. We were very vanilla in the scrimmage, so we have to put other stuff in there to make sure our kids understand what they need to do, and install those certain things that we need to install as well. It’s going to be a very busy, long, tedious week.”
Historically, the Lions have been a big-sized team, and Hixon believes his Grizzlies will face that kind of squad Thursday night.
“They’re huge,” Hixon said. “They love running the ball right down your throat. They just like to be more physical. I’m hoping they’re not as physical as we are, but they are a very physical football team. It worries me they may wear us down.”
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TO GET THERE — Take Oklahoma State Highway 141 west to U.S. 59. Take U.S. 59 south to Oklahoma State Highway 9. Take Oklahoma State Highway 9 west to Keota.
