By Ryan Atkinson
The Joplin Globe
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The McAuley Warriors face a stern road test a week after a disappointing season-opening loss.
The Warriors, who fell 41-12 to Pleasant hope in Week 1, travel to Afton, Okla., where the Eagles open what they hope will be another successful season.
“They’ve got a good team,” McAuley coach Chuck Williams said. “They have a good coach (Zach Gardner) and he’ll have them ready. ... They won’t come out like they’ve never played a game just because it’s their season opener.”
Junior Brennon Fuser returns at quarterback for Afton, as does classmate and favorite target Sam Shepard. Matt Wisdom, a 200-pound bruiser, returns at running back and a pair of 250-pound lineman are back to clear the way.
“They have a really good receiver in Shepard and their quarterback is pretty quick and elusive,” Williams said. “He can run the ball and he throws to Shepard a lot. If we can cut down on the looks to Shepard, it will help.”
The Eagles allowed eight points or less in six of their 11 games last season and topped McAuley 48-14 in their first game of the year.
“Their linebackers are solid and their defensive line is solid,” Williams said. “They do a good job and we’ll have to keep them out of the backfield and off our quarterback and give him a chance to execute some things.”
The Warriors were hoping for a better start to their season, but a rough second half led to a 29-point loss, allowing Pleasant Hope to snap a 33-game losing streak.
“That was a wakeup call for the kids,” Williams said. “They know that they have to do a better job and make better and quicker decisions or it could happen again.”
