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Wednesday, October 14, 2009

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Warriors motivated to bounce back

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

By MIKE BIALKA

Sports Editor

Brainerd Warriors coach Ron Stolski is anxious for his team to return to the field despite only two days of practice for Wednesday's game against Fergus Falls.

The Warriors have many motivating factors, including bouncing back from Friday's 38-35 loss to Alexandria, parent's night, youth football night and an opportunity to zero in on a playoff position.

"We've had two (practices) and they've had two so that evens out," Stolski said of the short week due to teacher conventions Thursday and Friday. "I always like a lot of practice time, but given the outcome of our last game maybe it's a good idea that we get back to playing right away. This time of year things happen in bunches, in terms of the schedule (three games in 14 days). You have to adjust accordingly.

"I trust and have confidence that our kids are going to rise and play spirited for a number of reasons. One is we were disappointed in the last game. Secondly, for our parents, guardians and families, it's to salute and honor our very good football program."

Fergus Falls vs. Warriors

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: Adamson Field, Brainerd

The series: The Otters lead 13-7. Fergus Falls won 31-29 in the 2008 regular season.

The Warriors yielded big plays and struggled to contain Alexandria's counter running game. Brainerd allowed the Cardinals to win with less than a minute left and gave up nine plays of more than 10 yards, while taking 16 more snaps and forcing four turnovers.

"We simply have to tackle better," Stolski said. "We didn't tackle very well against a pretty good team and we weren't able to hold the lead. It's difficult, in two days, to fix a lot of stuff, but there's not a lot of stuff to fix, frankly. We've been playing very sound defensively, we just missed too many tackles. The kids will tell you that, they were not happy, but it's a team game, and we're a team made up of 100-some players.

"The effort was fine, the attitude was fine, we're a little disappointed, but not discouraged. The season now is capsulated into your next game. You have to leave the last one behind. In terms of having a full week to improve, you don't. You just get ready for this game."

Fergus Falls is winless, but that fact doesn't concern Stolski.

"We need to worry about our game, that's the approach I take, no matter who we're playing," he said.

The Otters, who have been outscored 143-62, have been hindered by injuries. Two of their top players, running back Nick Risbrudt, who's being recruited by Division II colleges, and lineman Adam Schueller, who will play at North Dakota State next season, are likely out for the season.

Fergus Falls won the Central Lakes Conference title last season and won the Section 8-4A championship. Its only loss was administered by St. Michael-Albertville in the Class 4A state quarterfinals.

"We graduated eight starters, we have some starters back," Otters coach Richard Risbrudt said. "The kids that replaced the graduated ones it's been difficult for them.

"We just don't have the depth of larger schools."

Stolski expects conditions at Adamson Field to be decent despite snow and rain since Friday - unless more moisture falls Wednesday.

"Actually, it's holding up really well," he said. "I think our grounds crew does a really good job. We don't practice on it so we're not on it all that much."

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or at 855-5861.

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