Football Shoots For A Championship
11/10/2012 6:31:00 AM | Football
After an early season setback against Central Arkansas, Sam Houston knew it would have to play big the rest of the way in order to get back in the running of the Southland Conference race and have a chance to play for a conference title.
That's exactly what the third-ranked Bearkats have done and thanks to six straight conference victories - most on the road - they've gotten themselves to where they're playing for a piece of the Southland title today.
A win over the Northwestern State Demons today in Natchitoches, La., and the Kats will claim a share of the league's championship.
All that stands in the way is a Northwestern State squad that isn't looking to cooperate.
"I haven't even talked to our guys about that aspect of it. All we're talking about is just going 1-0 and focusing on Northwestern State," Sam Houston coach Willie Fritz said following Tuesday's practice. "We've played very well over the last few weeks. We think we can even play better than that. That's our goal."
Over the last few weeks, the Bearkats (6-1 in Southland Conference action, 7-2 overall) have broken out in dominating fashion. In the last four games, the Kats have won by a collective score of 212-17. In that span, the offense has accounted for 2,075 yards (518.75 per game) and has put the game out of reach in the first half or early in the third quarter.
The defense has been just as tough, holding opposing teams to 878 total yards (219.5 per game) of offense and just one offensive touchdown with a pair of shutouts.
"We've built up a lot of confidence these past conference games," Bearkats senior offensive lineman Kaleb Hopson said. "Especially when the defense doesn't allow the other team to score, we can go out and make things happen and that just builds confidence for the offense.
"We're looking pretty proud confidence-wise, but we've got to stick to our basics and do what we've done to get us here. You've got to think of it as 1-0."
As well as the Kats have been playing, Fritz still thinks the Bearkats haven't played their best game yet.
"I think in the kicking game, we can play better. ... There's always room for improvement," the coach said. "We're playing good, there's no doubt about that. My coaches are doing a super job and the players are doing a great job executing, but we can even play better.
"We're definitely playing better than we did earlier in the season, there's no question about that. The trick is to do it every week and remain consistent and play at a high level week after week after week. That's what we've got to do."
Even as one-sided as the Bearkats' games have been over the past few weeks, they know they have to play with a sense of urgency against the Demons, who would love to keep Sam Houston from celebrating on their field as well as throw a wrench into the Bearkats' playoff plans.
Northwestern State (2-3, 4-5) dropped two of its three conference losses by a combined 13 points against McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana and were within a score of conference champion Central Arkansas just before halftime last week.
"They really do a nice job in all three phases," Fritz said. "They're really close to being a seven- or eight-win team. I know what they're looking for is to put together a complete game. We were searching for that a few weeks ago as well."
With a balanced offensive attack that aims to win the time of possession battle (averages a little more than 28 minutes per Southland Conference game), the Demons look to come away with the upset.
The Bearkats, on the other hand, know that a victory against the Demons will not only clinch a share of the conference but would also put them in the discussion for an at-large playoff spot with their seventh win over a Division I opponent.
"Being on the road, we basically get separated from everybody, so we can focus on the game itself. We're real excited for the chance to be co-conference champions," Hopson said.
"We're guaranteed at least two more games. This one means a lot because if we win this, that means we could go to the playoffs."
That's exactly what the third-ranked Bearkats have done and thanks to six straight conference victories - most on the road - they've gotten themselves to where they're playing for a piece of the Southland title today.
A win over the Northwestern State Demons today in Natchitoches, La., and the Kats will claim a share of the league's championship.
All that stands in the way is a Northwestern State squad that isn't looking to cooperate.
"I haven't even talked to our guys about that aspect of it. All we're talking about is just going 1-0 and focusing on Northwestern State," Sam Houston coach Willie Fritz said following Tuesday's practice. "We've played very well over the last few weeks. We think we can even play better than that. That's our goal."
Over the last few weeks, the Bearkats (6-1 in Southland Conference action, 7-2 overall) have broken out in dominating fashion. In the last four games, the Kats have won by a collective score of 212-17. In that span, the offense has accounted for 2,075 yards (518.75 per game) and has put the game out of reach in the first half or early in the third quarter.
The defense has been just as tough, holding opposing teams to 878 total yards (219.5 per game) of offense and just one offensive touchdown with a pair of shutouts.
"We've built up a lot of confidence these past conference games," Bearkats senior offensive lineman Kaleb Hopson said. "Especially when the defense doesn't allow the other team to score, we can go out and make things happen and that just builds confidence for the offense.
"We're looking pretty proud confidence-wise, but we've got to stick to our basics and do what we've done to get us here. You've got to think of it as 1-0."
As well as the Kats have been playing, Fritz still thinks the Bearkats haven't played their best game yet.
"I think in the kicking game, we can play better. ... There's always room for improvement," the coach said. "We're playing good, there's no doubt about that. My coaches are doing a super job and the players are doing a great job executing, but we can even play better.
"We're definitely playing better than we did earlier in the season, there's no question about that. The trick is to do it every week and remain consistent and play at a high level week after week after week. That's what we've got to do."
Even as one-sided as the Bearkats' games have been over the past few weeks, they know they have to play with a sense of urgency against the Demons, who would love to keep Sam Houston from celebrating on their field as well as throw a wrench into the Bearkats' playoff plans.
Northwestern State (2-3, 4-5) dropped two of its three conference losses by a combined 13 points against McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana and were within a score of conference champion Central Arkansas just before halftime last week.
"They really do a nice job in all three phases," Fritz said. "They're really close to being a seven- or eight-win team. I know what they're looking for is to put together a complete game. We were searching for that a few weeks ago as well."
With a balanced offensive attack that aims to win the time of possession battle (averages a little more than 28 minutes per Southland Conference game), the Demons look to come away with the upset.
The Bearkats, on the other hand, know that a victory against the Demons will not only clinch a share of the conference but would also put them in the discussion for an at-large playoff spot with their seventh win over a Division I opponent.
"Being on the road, we basically get separated from everybody, so we can focus on the game itself. We're real excited for the chance to be co-conference champions," Hopson said.
"We're guaranteed at least two more games. This one means a lot because if we win this, that means we could go to the playoffs."
Today: Sam Houston State at Northwestern State, Turpin Stadium, Natchitoches, La., 3 p.m.
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