By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
With Buchanan having already qualified for the playoffs at 6-0, and playing the second worst team in the Lakeland Conference, Bridgman, head coach Joe Austin is concerned about a let-down Friday night.
The Bucks are fresh off their best performance of the season, a 76-0 romp of hapless River Valley last week. Austin said, even though they beat the winless Mustangs, Buchanan played near-flawless football.
Austin said staying focus is going to be difficult for his team this week with numerous distractions. Friday night is Homecoming for the Bucks. They also face Berrien Springs next week in a showdown of the top teams in the Lakeland Conference.
Both schools are 6-0 and have already qualified for the playoffs.
In order to keep his players minds on Friday's game, Austin said he's focusing on the fundamentals in practice. No matter who the opponent is, he said, the Bucks must stay fundamentally sound to keep improving.
As far as improving, Austin said he has a list of things a mile long that his team can get better at. Blocking, passing and ball fakes are among his priorities on offense, while he wants to improve on pass coverage and persuit to the ball on defense.