Trojans prep for high-powered Tigers

The Whitehall/Harrison High School football team (1-1) will look to bounce back Friday when they travel to take on top-ranked Manhattan.

Following a 31-13 homecoming loss to Townsend, Head Coach Dan Lacey said it will be super important to come out with a positive mindset and get ready for a solid opponent in the 3-0 Tigers.

Looking back at last week, Lacey discussed how the Trojans turned the ball over three times in the first half which all led to Bulldog points as well as giving up too many big plays on defense and special teams.

"We need to tighten up all three phases next week. We had too many penalties. They are drive killers and those need to be cleaned up," he said.

The seventh-year head coach also proud of his team for the way they played after falling down 31-0 in the first half.

"It was a tough way to start but they came out and executed very well the second half and we just ran out of time. Townsend did a great job of preventing big plays and forcing us to use the clock to score in the second half. Our defense really responded as well in the second half," Lacey said.

With a matchup with the number one ranked Tigers, Lacey feels this is a great chance for his team to bounce back.

"We get to face the top team in the state and see how we stack up. We need to come out and settle into the game early. Manhattan is solid all around and doesn't have many weaknesses so we will have to take advantage of what they give us and limit mistakes and win the field position battle, as well as limit the big plays," he said.