Warrior’s “Coaches Corner” for the 9-9-16 game verses the Pendleton Wildcats

We kickoff coverage of tonight’s game -the Pocahontas County Warriors verses the Pendleton County Wildcats with a new feature – or rather the return of a feature from years ago – the “Coaches Corner”, where we talk to Warrior Coach Doug Burns to get his perspective about the upcoming game.

So Coach, now that you have had a week to digest last week’s close loss to Moorefield, what’s your take on that game?

“Well, Tim, coming out of that game with Moorefield it’s always going to be a physical matchup with Moorefield, and played a great football game” said Coach Burns. “Taking away from it the positives, no question our guys played hard the whole game. Unfortunately we just made a couple of mistakes that ended up costing us that game. You know, it’s 14 to 14 in the 4^th quarter, and we had a mis-snap on a punt and we ended up giving them the ball there on about the 2 yard line. They scored to go up 21 to 14 and that ended the ballgame. But I was really proud the way the guys fought all night. And that part of it’s a positive, but there’s no moral victories in football, so I’d rather be 2 and 0 to be sure, but there’s things we can build on.”

How do you see tonight’s matchup with Pendleton County?

“Well, we play in the PVC Conference (Potomac Valley Conference), so for us it’s always such a tough 4 game stretch to open up the season” Coach Burns says. “you know, we started with Tucker then Moorefield last week. Tonight we got Pendleton. Pendleton County is always a tough matchup with Pocahontas County. It’s always been a pretty big rival game. So we know they are going to be physical, they’re hardnosed; they’re well coached, so it’s going to be a tough ballgame for us. Like most single A teams, we are a little short handed this week. We’ve had some injuries, but we’re going to give it our best shot. The guys are prepared so we’ll go over to Pendleton tonight and hopefully it’s going to be a good ballgame.”

How important is tonight’s game for the Warrior’s season?

“Well, the Pendleton County game is always just a huge game” Coach says. “Both coach Cooper and I have always said that Pendleton county game is a pivotal game for both teams. It always seems that the winner of the Pendleton County –Pocahontas County game usually ends up making it to the playoffs. So, yes, one of these 2 teams is going to be 2 and 1 and one is going to be 1 and 2, so it’s huge for our playoff hopes this year and theirs too.  It is a huge game tonight.”

What are the keys to the game that the fans should be watching?

“I think the keys, as they are most weeks, is our offensive line against their defensive line” Coach explains. “Watching them on film, they come off the ball real well. Again, they are just very well coached, and I know those guys are going to be playing hard. But our offensive line –as I always tell them, ‘you are the most important guys on this team, as you go, we go.’ And so those guys have to have a good night.”

Coach, do you have anything else you’d like to tell the Warrior faithful about tonight’s game?

“No, (I’m) just very excited for the opportunity to play Pendleton County. We’re going to have the best of both teams tonight. Fans are going to have a good football game to watch tonight and I just look forward to our guys performing well and hopefully coming out with a win tonight.”

Thank you very much Coach and good luck to the Warriors.