Game Preview: Cougars at Strasburg

The Stuarts Draft Cougars went on the road a week ago and defeated a solid Buckingham squad 20-13, earning a spot in this Friday’s Region 2B championship game.

“Our defense really stepped up big time,” said Draft head coach Nathan Floyd when talking about the win at Buckingham. “They had the opening drive, and we held them to a field goal. We fumbled the ball and they got the ball right back and fortunately, defensively we stepped up again. It was a good ball game. Both teams played hard. I was impressed with how physical Buckingham was. We knew that going in, but they were really a physical team.”

Another big task awaits this Friday as Draft travels to Strasburg to take on a Rams’ team that has just one loss this season – that to Class 3 Valley District power Broadway. 

The Cougars will face a Strasburg team that is experienced. Many of the players on this year’s squad played in the state championship game a year ago. And the Rams are \big.

“It’s an opportunity for us,” Floyd said of Friday’s matchup. “We tell the kids the worse case for remorse is a missed opportunity. So, the best thing is to take advantage of the opportunity and the best way to take advantage of it is to be prepared. We’ve worked hard this year. My expectation is to go up there and play Cougar football.

“They have good overall size,” Floyd continued. “Their offensive line averages 245. Their backs are around 190 each. They have good speed. They’re well-coached and they execute their game plan.”

The Draft will need another strong defensive effort against a Rams’ offense that has scored at least 35 points in nine of its 11 games.

“Defensively, it’s all about getting 11 hats to the ball. They do a lot of one-on-one blocking, so we need our guys to win their job and get as many hats to the ball as possible,” said Floyd.

The Strasburg defensive side is also formidable. The Rams have held their opponent to less than 20 points in the past nine games.

““It’s always been, since I’ve been coaching here, we’re going to try and establish the run first and we’ll pass when it’s needed,” said Floyd.

We have to find, whether it’s a formation or a play, something that puts their defense in conflict and gets then out of what they want to do,” Floyd continued. “We’ll do that within our offensive scheme. We’re not going to put in any magic plays. We’re going to stick with what we do best and try to find a weakness and exploit that.”

Draft is confident when putting the ball in the air with senior QB Derrick Moore.

“We work on the passing game every day in practice. We work on our pass blocking. It’s a focus in practice. We’re comfortable passing the ball,” Floyd added.

Temperatures could dip into the 20s during Friday’s game, easily the coldest game of the year for both teams.

“I’m up front with the guys. I tell them to accept it - it’s going to be cold,” said Floyd. “Both teams are playing in it so you can’t use it as an excuse.”