Prep Grid Preview ... Week 8: All hands not present for start of districts

Senior Cody Skinner and the 'Cats hope they can either match or contain the firepower of No. 10 Westran. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The flu bug has struck two of the local Class 1 football teams, while another is struggling with a couple of key injuries -- not exactly ideal conditions for any to begin the district stretch run.

Slater at #10 Westran

SLATER -- Slater head coach Chris Ferri doesn't hesitate to use the word "scary" to describe Lewis and Clark Conference rival Westran.

The 10th-ranked Hornets, who host Friday's Class 1, District 9 tilt at Huntsville, are simply that good. Westran (6-1, 1-1 L&C) is coming off a thrilling 28-26 loss last week at No. 8 Marceline, and -- in Ferri's estimation -- "were just a half-step off some things, or they could have scored 60 points."

It's easy to understand why when one looks at the numbers put up this season by senior running back Bryce Enyard. He's rushed for 1,462 yards -- 208.9 yards per game and 13.5 yards per attempt -- and scored 21 touchdowns. And he's not mistake-prone, with only two fumbles in 108 carries.

If Enyard weren't enough, there's junior quarterback Tyler Hunt. He's a third-year starter more likely to beat an opponent with his feet than his arm -- averaging 140.1 rushing yards per game -- although he has thrown six touchdown passes, four to Enyard.

"We may have to some different things to stop them," Ferri admitted, suggesting there will be some "spies" lurking in the Wildcats' defense. "We feel we have our two best athletes on their two best athletes."

However, healthy athletes may be in short supply for Slater (2-5, 0-2). At the moment, at least four starters are suffering from the flu.

"We've got hit bad," Ferri said. "We may have some kids who don't even start on the junior varsity playing on the varsity."

Yet, the new playoff system adopted last year by MSHSAA -- in which two teams in each four-team district gets to keep playing -- provides a margin of error.

"We knew it was going to be a tough stretch with Marceline and Braymer," and now Westran, Ferri noted. "We felt that if we could make it to the last two weeks we still have a shot.

"We're just trying to get better week to week."

Santa Fe at #8 Wellington-Napoleon

ALMA -- Slater isn't the only area team fighting the flu.

Santa Fe head coach Andy Frerking isn't sure his team will be at full strength Friday when it plays at I-70 Conference foe Wellington-Napoleon to begin the Class 1, District 10 campaign.

"Who knows what's going to happen," he remarked.

While the eighth-ranked Tigers have won four straight -- including a 22-14 upset of Carrollton, No. 9 in the Class 2 poll -- since their 24-12 loss to top-ranked defending state champion Orrick, the Chiefs (2-5, 0-2 I-70) are coming off a bitter 26-16 loss to a Crest Ridge team which had been beaten 11 straight games.

"I thought we took a step backward, but the week before that we played very well," Frerking conceded, noting Santa Fe's 28-26 victory over Windsor. "We need to find consistency."

Wellington (6-1, 3-1) are potent on both sides of scrimmage, out-scoring opponents 256-99 overall and 157-58 in league play. In senior Caleb Kropp, the Tigers have arguably the top passer in the conference and enough good running backs to keep defenses honest.

"They do a good job of spreading the ball around and they have a lot of athletic kids," Frerking said. "Their line is about as athletic as any around. We're going to have to play hard from snap to whistle."

The Chiefs can take some solace that the playoff format provides second chances.

"All your eggs are not in one basket," Frerking noted. "It gives you a chance right up to the end. That's an exciting thing for the kids."

Sweet Springs at Northwest

SWEET SPRINGS -- While Sweet Springs doesn't face the most formidable of foes in its Class 1, District 8 debut at Northwest of Hughesville, it will be without a couple of key plays.

All-state senior blocker and linebacker Zach Thomas was hurt last week against Wellington and senior lineman Robb DeWeese is also sidelined, so Greyhounds head coach Tim Smith is having to make adjustments.

"When you lose senior linemen, that hurts," he declared. "We feel we've got some kids who can step in and play."

The Mustangs (0-6) have shown some flashes this season, and "they do a lot of stuff that's unorthodox on offense," Smith said. "They do different things each down."

Sweet Springs (3-4) will look at a variety of formations, all designed to utilize the speed, strength and savvy of senior quarterback Zac Crooker, the nephew of head coach Caleb Crooker.

"They're going to try to get Crooker to run as much as possible," Smith explained. "They're going to stack those lead blockers in front of him."

The Mustangs' line has some size -- although none in the category of its most famous alum, Missouri center Tim Barnes -- and employs a blitzing scheme.

"They're not big and not terribly fast, but they keep coming at you," Smith remarked. "They cause problems because they're relentless."

The 'Hounds are hoping to return to the post-season, but with No. 3 Tipton looming next week they can ill-afford a stumble.

"The kids see they have a good chance of making the playoffs, but first we have to win at Northwest," Smith said. "We've been treating it like a playoff game all week."