| BataviasBest.org
Thursday, September 25, 2014
After speaking with several members of the Batavia Football team (2-1) last night, I have come to understand that, despite their consecutive blowout victories, the Blue Devils remain focused and ready to go for Dansville on Friday.
“We just need to keep grinding day after day until the game at the end of the week,” said offensive lineman Gunner Rapone. “It’s worked the past two weeks, so why change a good thing?”
Rapone and the offensive line have played a major part in the Devils’ ability to run the ball in their previous two match ups with Wellsville and Hornell. Leading the rushing attack has been Dom Mogavero and Anthony Gallo, along with Ahdeosun Aiken who joined the team for the first time in the game against the Lions.
“He (Aiken) really helps out a lot,” said Batavia QB Greg Mruczek. “Having him in our running attack helps give Dom breaks so he can be better rested for defense, and he also gives us more depth between Gallo, Dom and himself. He does a great job scraping for extra yards.”
Blue Devils’ head coach Brennan Briggs has been equally impressed with Aiken.
“He played against Wellsville two weeks ago and had 70 yards and 2 TDs,” said Briggs. “He adds toughness and he is a punishing back who compliments our other running backs as well. He will be a major part of our running attack going forward.”
As far as their matchup with Dansville is concerned, the entire team believes in order to pull out another victory they must remain focused.
“I think it’s most important that we continue not to take any team lightly,” said Mruczek. “We have had a great week of practice so far and we need to continue that. Dansville is a solid team all-around and one of the better teams we have seen thus far. If we don’t play solid football we could easily come out of there with a loss.”
Briggs agreed.
“We just need to do a better job reading our keys and getting more hats to the football,” he said. “It is one of our focal points this week in practice. They are a smash mouth team that plans their game around their backs in the backfield.”
This is a big game for the Blue Devils. After facing two inferior opponents in weeks 2 and 3, they will be up against a much more difficult task this week, as their opponent brings plenty to the table on both sides of the ball. Losing to Bath by ten points a week ago, Dansville will certainly be looking to rebound against Batavia.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the Game Preview along with my prediction.
Other articles you may like:
My one-on-one with Batavia LB/WR James Cryer
