Warriors shifting focus to conference play
Worland searches for consistency as 3A West schedule begins Friday in Jackson
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Sisco Molina
The Worland defense stuffs Buffalo running back Jack McIntyre for no gain on a third down play during the first half of Worland's game against the Bison on Friday at Warrior Stadium. It was the final nonconference game for the Warriors as they now begin 3A West conference play this Friday as they travel to Jackson.
WORLAND – When the final buzzer sounded against Buffalo on Friday it signified not only the end of the game, but also the end of the nonconference schedule for the Warriors.
After a 1-2 start against 3A East opponents in the first three games, Worland coach Todd Weber and the Warriors are ready to put those games behind them as they quickly shift their attention to conference play and the long haul of the season over the next five weeks.
That's not to say the Warriors were without positives to take away from the first three weeks, but those games have no effect on conference standings.
From here on out, each game means much more and can make or break Worland's playoffs hopes –a goal the Warriors made for themselves under first-year coach Todd Weber.
"... Obviously every game we play is important. But we start conference this week and we've got to take care of some things. We can't continue to give up the big play," Weber said after Friday's loss to Buffalo, a game in which all three Bison touchdowns came from at least 30 yards out or further.
The offense saw a much bigger improvement Friday as Weber said he was mostly impressed with how well the offensive line played at times during the game.
Now, the Warriors need to see that level of play more often.
"I was proud of what we did up front. I thought we got off the ball pretty well and we created some holes. We just have to be able to do that on a more consistent basis and we'll continue to work on that," Weber said of his offensive line. "We've just got to do our job and we've got to keep working."
The schedule seemingly only gets tougher from here.
First up is Jackson, a team that emerged onto the 3A scene last year by finishing second in the 3A West and taking the No. 2 seed into the playoffs.
That game will be on the road.
After that, the Warriors have a home game against defending 3A state champion Cody (3-0) for homecoming followed by two consecutive road games at Powell (2-1) and Star Valley (3-0), respectively.
The Warriors will then finish off the regular season at home against Green River (1-2).
The 3A state champion has emerged from the 3A West each of the last three seasons and a lot of people are expecting it to happen for a fourth time in Laramie come November.
"We're going to face some good football teams every week. But all we can do is worry about what we do and get better at what we do and just keep pushing forward. I don't know anything else so that's what we're going to do."
