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PREP FOOTBALL: Seeger fights for WRC lead

marvin holman marvin., commercial-news, danville, ill.
·7 min read

Oct. 5—WEST LEBANON, Ind. — Consistency.

Seeger football coach TJ Ragan says that word means so much for the Patriots.

"For us, we have a big word on our board and that's consistency," Ragan said. "We haven't been consistent and to beat them (South Vermillion), we have to play consistent and fundamental football."

The Patriots are coming off a 15-13 win over Covington last week where the consistency was not there.

"The game is decided by playing it and every team wants to play their best against us," Ragan said. "We appreciated that and it is a great preparation for the playoffs. They brought their best and I don't think we did. It was homecoming week and we didn't handle it very well like we did last year. As coaches, we need to prepare better for that, but we got the win and we prepare for then next one."

In preparation for the next one on Friday against the Wildcats, Ragan has been pleased with the Patriots' preparation.

"We actually had the best practice we have had (Tuesday)," Ragan said. "It was exciting to see the guys take hold of what we are doing. They have spent time looking at film and putting out game plan on the filed, so it is exciting to see how our season is coming together."

The Patriots are 6-1 and 5-0 in the Wabash River Conference going into the battle with also 6-1 and 5-0 Wildcats. In Ragan's second season, Seeger's players are buying in.

"We are consistent with the same message," Ragan said. "We have three goals: The first goal is to be a family and that is a lot of work. A lot of people throw that saying around, but we try to make great investments in relationships. Our second goal is to be a team. We get out on the field together and grow together and the third is to be a championship program. It doesn't mean that we win championships, we would do things like a championship program would. I believe we are taking steps in doing that and at times we step back and that is what happens with any process. But they are buying in on the process for certain."

With top players like seniors Hunter Thomas and Ryley Nern leading the way, Ragan has been pleased with the effort from the start of the season.

"We took it up a notch and we placed expectations on the team before the season," Ragan said. "During the summer, they would come to our house and run hills at 6 in the morning and got after it. They would come back to have breakfast and spend time with the family. They have really bought in and lead in great ways."

The Wildcats have won their last five games and have scored at least 40 points in their wins. Seeger won the last matchup 19-15 last season and Ragan knows they want revenge.

"South V is a perennial power in the conference and we had a wild game with them last year," Ragan said. "I think they are a better team than last year. Their quarterback is a year better and their running game and receiving corps does a great job. For a high school team, they don't have many holes."

With the game at home, Ragan hopes that could give them the momentum the Patriots need to win the game and next week's finale against North Vermillion.

"It's huge. We had the game over there last year and they had phenomenal fan support," Ragan said. "It was something we had to overcome. This year, we had great support and it is fun to play at our place with no distractions.

"I am excited for this game. This is a great week and we are not looking ahead, but next week, we have a great team in North Vermillion, so to have two of our better games at the end of the year is great and helps us prepare for the offseason."

The game will start at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

Schlarman Academy at St. Anne

Time — 6 p.m. today

Records — Schlarman 1-5 overall, 0-2 in 8-man football Central 1 Conference. St. Anne 1-5 overall, 0-3 in 8-man football Central 1 Conference.

Summary — In this special Thursday game, the Hilltoppers and Cardinals will play to avoid last place in Central 1. Schlarman's injury problems have seen them give up 60 points in two of the last three games.

Salt Fork at Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Chrisman

Time — 7 p.m. Friday

Records — Salt Fork 4-2 overall and in Vermilion Valley Conference. GRFC 0-6 overall and in Vermilion Valley Conference.

Summary — After losing to Momence last week, the Storm continue its road swing to face the Buffaloes. After getting close to victory against Clifton Central, GRFC has scored 17 points in the last three games. Salt Fork is coming off a season-low seven points and it was the first time it was held to single digits.

Iroquois West at Oakwood

Time — 7 p.m. Friday

Records — Iroquois West 2-4 overall and in the Vermilion Valley Conference. Oakwood 4-2 overall, 4-2 in Vermilion Valley Conference.

Radio — WHRK-FM 94.9

Summary — After a thriller with Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac, the Comets are home for a chance to get one step closer to a playoff berth. To get to that level, they will have to face the Raiders, who is coming off one of their best games of the season. Oakwood will have a major home advantage as the Comets have scored at least 60 points in two of the three home games this season.

Watseka at Westville

Time — 7 p.m. Friday

Records — Watseka 1-5 overall and in Vermilion Valley Conference. Westville 5-1 overall and in Vermilion Valley Conference.

Radio — WITY-AM 980, WITY-FM 99.5

Summary — The Tigers can get that magic sixth win on Friday and to get it, they will play the Warriors. Watseka has scored only 39 points in the last five games, while Westville has scored 49 points in each of their last three games.

Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac at Clifton Central

Time — 7 p.m. Friday

Records — HAAP 2-4 overall and in Vermilion Valley Conference. Clifton Central 2-4 overall and in Vermilion Valley Conference.

Summary — The Cornjerkers hit the road after a close loss to Oakwood last week. HAAP has scored at least 30 points in the last two games and that could be useful against Clifton Central, who has not even passed the 30-point mark.

North Vermillion at Fountain Central

Time — 7 p.m. Friday (Eastern)

Records — North Vermillion 5-2 overall, 4-1 in Wabash River Conference. Fountain Central 4-3 overall, 3-2 in Wabash River Conference.

Radio — WKZS-FM 103.1

Summary — The Falcons would like to stay in pace with the winner of the Seeger-S. Vermillion game in the WRC standings and to do that, they will have to travel to Fountain Central. The Mustangs have lost their last two games, but it was against the top two teams in Seeger and South Vermillion

Covington at Attica

Time — 7 p.m. Friday (Eastern)

Records — Covington 3-4 overall, 1-4 in Wabash River Conference. Attica 0-7 overall, 0-5 in Wabash River Conference.

Summary — The Trojans should have confidence after a close 14-13 loss to Seeger last week and what better way to build that confidence than a game against the Red Ramblers. Attica has scored 56 points this season and has not scored a point the last two games.