STORY BY: CHACE MURPHY
The Bryan Vikings take the show on the road to Killeen Friday night as they face off against the Shoemaker Grey Wolves.
It’s the Vikings’ (3-1, 1-0) second district game and second consecutive game against a Killeen school after last week’s 56-7 drubbing of Ellison.
Shoemaker (0-4, 0-1) is coming off a 33-7 loss to Harker Heights in their 12-AAAAA district opener.
The Grey Wolves, under first-year head coach Channon Hall, have struggled to find their offensive identity. But Bryan head coach Bob Bellard says that does not mean there is a shortage of weapons.
“They have a couple of run threats that they really, really like,” Bellard said. “They’ve gone power-I at times, spread at times, and Wildcat.”
Neither the Grey Wolves, nor the Vikings are in the top half of 12-AAAAA in total offense. The Vikings are fifth, averaging almost 327 yards per game. The Grey Wolves are last with only 165 yards per game on average.
Bellard says defense appears to be Shoemaker’s strength.
“You have to have some consistency and not allow them to make the big play,” Bellard said. “You cut somebody loose at the point of attack, they hit you, the ball comes out.”
Both teams match up similarly on defense. Bryan is third in the district allowing 326 yards per game in total defense. Shoemaker is fourth, allowing 351 yards per game.
Shoemaker has traditionally played Bryan tough, especially at Leo Buckley Stadium in Killeen, the site of Friday’s game.
The Vikings rebounded from a 21-0 halftime deficit en route to a 42-41 overtime win in 2008, the last time the two teams played in Killeen. Bryan beat the Grey Wolves 42-21 in 2009 and 14-0 last year at home.
Friday’s game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Pregame starts at 7:05 on KZNE, Sports Radio 1150, The Zone, or online at www.brazosfootball.com.