STORY BY: CHACE MURPHY
In the world of gaming, you can pause and restart when things get out of hand. If your computer isn’t cooperating, try Control-Alt-Delete for a magic fix.
Real life, however, does not offer such quick remedies. Just ask the Bryan Vikings.
The Vikes took their undefeated record into The Woodlands last week, only to suffer one of their worst regular season defeats to College Park.
After the game, head coach Bob Bellard would say the Vikings’ 50-21 loss was a letdown on multiple fronts, among players and coaches.
Bellard is also the first one to remind you that coaches remember every loss while players bounce back.
“Our kids are going to be fine,” Bellard said. “They’re going to line up and be ready to go play.”
Here’s hoping that ability translates Friday night when Bryan (2-1) hosts Killeen Ellison at Merrill Green Stadium.
The Eagles (0-3) come into Bryan searching for their first win, and having only scored 24 points in three games.
It would seem the time is right for Bryan to bounce back, but Bellard has his concerns.
The Vikings will likely do without LB Curtis Orozco, who is still hurting from a deep thigh bruise. Bellard estimates Orozco was only at about 50 percent against College Park.
The injury Orozco stretches thinner a unit that already lost Senior Hunter Maphet to a season-ending knee injury.
That leaves Tyler Allen, Alex Pappas, and others to pick up the slack. Bellard also says the linebacker instincts are not easily taught.
“Linebacker is such an instinctual thing,” Bellard said. “You’ve got to wade through all the bodies that are trying to block you, and, at the same time, find the football, get your hat on it, and make tackles.”
Friday’s game is homecoming for the Vikings and features a band booster club spaghetti fundraiser before the game. You can dine for $6 from 4:30-7 p.m. in the Silver Campus Café.
Pregame for the Vikings and Ellison starts at 7:05 p.m. on KZNE, Sports Radio 1150, The Zone, and www.brazosfootball.com. Kickoff is at 7:30.