Brennan Briggs 

Batavia Football – 3 years as head coach

Favorite thing about High School Sports: “Friday night lights! Kids have the opportunity to play with their classmates and in front of their hometown community under the stadium glow.“

Last night I communicated with the head coach of the Batavia Blue Devils, who after his team’s night practice, shed light on where his group is at heading into their matchup with Livonia.

AB: What did you accomplish tonight?

BB: “Tonight we practiced at GCC on their turf field. We continued to rep our defensive unit on the game plan this week and also continued to work on getting better at what we do offensively.”

AB: What challenges will Livonia present to your defense this week? Anything you didn’t see the first time around? 

BB: “They have a strong offensive attack and it presents problems because you have to be very disciplined when reading your keys. They have a few new wrinkles I have seen but it doesn’t change our reads.” 

AB: Having not made it this far as a program in recent memory, do you believe the excitement of being in the finals has been providing extra motivation for your players?

BB: “Yes it’s definitely motivating the guys. But I want them to stay loose and be themselves this weekend. I don’t want them getting caught up in all the hype. Their preparation will lead to positive results when they play relentless football on Saturday.“

AB: Coming equipped with a few key Seniors this year, what role have they played the past few weeks in terms of leadership as you approach such big games?

BB: “They have done a good job all year. They know they can go out on top and I think they are excited for the opportunity they’ve earned.”

AB: Is the possibility of revenge playing into your guys’ emotions at all this week?

BB: “I haven’t talked about it once this week. I don’t really think it’s about revenge. It just so happens Livonia is the team standing in the way of the title that we’re striving for. I wouldn’t want it any other way though.”

AB: Do you feel proving your worth against a team who already beat you, and continued to play quality football all season, could be the final step for you guys as a team in terms of your achievement?

BB: “Not at all. For all the people out there who still don’t give my guys credit, we have defeated a 6-3 Geneva team, 6-3 Penn Yan, 8-1 Bath, along with five other teams. We don’t need to prove anything more. Saturday we have a great opportunity to bring home a title. It’s two very good teams and one of us will win and the other will lose. Either way, I am proud of what these young men have accomplished.”

AB: Last question – throughout your conversations with your players this week, what has been the most common emotion that you have observed? 

BB: “Confidence.”

Here, former Batavia head coach Jon Sanfratello, along with other members of the ’91 team, speak with the Blue Devils. (Photo courtesy of @BHSScores)

Saturday afternoon the Devils head to Sahlen’s Stadium for their first Sectional Championship game since 1991. After speaking to members of that 1991 team – that eventually went on to capture a State Title – Tuesday night, I believe it is time for Batavia to take that step once again and bring the Block home to Batavia.

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