On Friday, the Industrial Cobras returned to the Snake Pit to host the undefeated, and #2 ranked, Shiner Comanches. Though the Cobras lost 27-21 in overtime, Cobra Head Football Coach Matthew Luddeke said it was the team’s best game of the season.
The Cobras began the game by winning the coin toss and deferring. Neither team could gain much momentum offensively in the first quarter; however, in the second quarter, the game quickly became competitive.
“I think this was definitely the most physical we’ve played all year,” Luddeke said. “One indicator of that is that we forced five fumbles for Shiner. I know we only recovered three of them, but that’s the most turnovers we’ve created in the season.”
Being the most physical team on the field wasn’t the only positive thing for the Cobras. Player of the week—senior Garrett Kolodziejcyk—said the defense is improving as a whole.
“We did well working together as a team and reading keys,” Kolodziejcyk said. “We were focusing on technique more than any other week, and just being more physical than Shiner was.”
In addition to positive changes for the defense, the Cobra offense, led by Cooper Francis, Wyatt Kurtz, Logan Thomas, and Bryce Sykes, showed growth as well. Francis went 12 for 16, throwing for 73 yards.
“I think we did well not making as many penalties,” Kurtz said. “We were able to move forward and we just keep getting better.”
Though their record may be 0-4, the Cobras are working hard during this bi-week to prepare for the approaching district games.
“Something in the biweek we typically do is to evaluate ourselves in the season and see where we are,” Luddeke said. “We spend a little more time individually working on fundamentals again, and the things that we’ve not done as well.”
Kolodziejcyk feels the same way as his coach. He said the team has started learning how they all play, as well as understanding their new coaching staffs’ approaches.
The Cobras will try to piece it all together after their bi-week when they travel to El Maton for a showdown against the 3ADII #1 ranked Tidehaven Tigers (4-0) on October 3. Kickoff is at 7:30.
