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Aslin to Busters: Do not to overlook Scotties
Published 10/11/2008 in None : GCCC
By MIKE KESSINGER
Just like any head coach, Lucas Aslin is always going to make sure his team is aware of anything that could knock them off course.
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Brad Nading/Telegram - Garden City Community College's Darrell Young, left, zeros in on an Air Force Prep running back to make a tackle for a loss during a September game at Memorial Stadium.
It goes with the job.
It's also reason enough why, during his meeting with his Garden City Community College football team last Sunday evening, he mentioned that it was important they don't take Highland lightly. No one around the Broncbuster football program would know that better than defensive coordinator Jacob Cox. In 2006, Cox was a defensive assistant coach at Butler County, undefeated and on its way to a chance at the national championship game. The Grizzlies stumbled on the final game of the regular season, losing to Highland 43-29. All hopes of a national championship were doused for Butler.
"We went up there in '06, and (Highland) dang near beat us," Aslin said looking back two years ago when he was the defensive coordinator for the Busters. "It was our first day game of the year -- we've played some day games already, so I feel a little bit more comfortable with that. They're a team that has some good players. Their record is not that good, but they can beat anybody if they play well. If we play well, if we do what we do, we'll be alright."
Coming off a thrilling 27-20 overtime win against Coffeyville, the last thing the Busters need is a setback. After starting conference play 0-2, Garden City (4-2, 2-2) heads back into conference play today in a 1 p.m. kickoff at Kessinger Field with plenty of momentum carrying them. With three regular season games left, that's good to know for a team vying for at least a top-three spot in the Jayhawk Conference playoffs. And to make things more enticing for Garden City -- the three teams left on the schedule are on the bottom of the conference standings. More a reason to be cautious at the same time.
"If you turn the ball over and you don't make tackles, and if you don't have a whole lot of energy, it's going to be a long day," Aslin said.
The good news for Aslin, who's team jumped back in to the junior college top 20 at 19th this week, is the coach believes his team understands what's ahead if they do not allow any kind of a letdown. On the other hand, though, the Busters still are battling injuries. Aslin does not expect safety Hiram Atwater to be back this week.
Wide receiver Cameron Kenney, who has a sprained shoulder he suffered in the Independence game Sept. 27 still won't play. Quarterback Eugene Smith is battling a sore ankle, safety Taylor Elder and runnning backs Ryan Smith and Chase Beiberle are hurting from leg injuries, but they all will play. Defensive tackle Walt Woolwine, who suffered a turf burn on a leg during the Fort Scott game Sept. 20 still is in the hospital recovering from the injury that left an infection and has had to be drained. Aslin doesn't have a time when Woolwine should return for sure.
"Hopefully, he's going to be released this weekend from the hospital," Aslin said.
The Busters have become accustomed to playing injured, which has been a positive in that they have been able to find a way to win in the last couple of weeks with a banged-up lineup.
Garden City's test today will be against a Highland team that has struggled offensively. The Scotties (1-4, 1-2) are averaging just 57 yards on the ground. Through the air, quarterback Corey Ward has passed for 311 yards completing 46 percent of his passes.
"On paper, they're not as good," Aslin said comparing Highland to Coffeyville. "Anybody can beat you. We brought a lot of fire against Coffeyville. We didn't play a very good first quarter on both sides of the football, then we settled down. I thought the effort was great."
On the defensive side, Highland is giving up 22.8 points. They give up 115 yards on the ground, which gives Beiberle and both Eugene and Ryan Smith a challenge. Against Coffeyville, Beiberle ran wild gaining 161 yards and scoring two touchdowns on the ground and one via a 16 yard pass from Eugene Smith. Beiberle was named the conference co-offensive player of the week.
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