RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Treat every date left on the schedule as if it's a playoff game and believe in the weekly gameplan, Randolph High football coach Pete Wesp has told his team.
The Ro-Hawks (1-4 overall, 0-1 District 27-2A) host Comfort (0-6, 0-2) tonight with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on base at Mickler Stadium. The game comes after a "bye" week when Wesp and his staff practiced the team, but also rested.
"We approached the open week like we do all open weeks, taking Monday off, practicing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, then taking Friday off," Wesp said. "The whole concept of a bye week is to let the players rest."
Recovery from a 42-13 thrashing at the hands of powerhouse Blanco High might have taken more than a week. Wesp predicted, barring injuries, the Blanco team would sweep through the regular season unbeaten.
Blanco leads all area schools with averages of over 360 rushing yards and 450 yards of total offense per game.
"They lost a top running back against us and there's no way your team sustains an injury like that and you don't feel it," Wesp said. "They have so much more talent, though, and they are just a really solid team this season. What it means is that every team in our district will probably wind up with at least one loss."
Randolph has passed more this season than recent seasons and is searching for balance between runs and throws against winless Comfort.
"You do what you have to do," Wesp said, referencing his 1993-94 teams that routinely threw for hundreds of yards in games. "Right now we are seeking a balance between running and throwing.
"Comfort runs the spread offense but, in some ways, is a lot like us. They are too good to be without any wins. There is a lot of talent on that roster and they are probably searching for ways to enjoy some success. They've played Fredericksburg, Navarro, Devine, and they've played Blanco. That's some good teams to play early in the year."
Randolph went undefeated in last year's regular season but many of the current players were reserves on that squad. Coaches have worked since August to create cohesiveness and the master plan has not been altered.
"For us, I still say we are improving each week," Wesp said. "Our team is getting better and as coaches, we can see it. "They are eager to get back into action after not playing last Friday night."