Kent Bush
The Express-Star
CHICKASHA
November 01, 2006 01:01 pm
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It won’t be a walk in the park, but Chickasha has a very good chance to end the regular season with a win and head into the playoffs on a positive note.
NW Classen has only one win this year. In fact, the Knights have won one game a year for many years in a row.
This year, their win came against Capitol Hill - another team with only one win.
The Knights have played some other good games, however.
They took Duncan down to the wire in a 13-7 game in Week Eight.
Their defense is the strong point of the team.
Classen has three or four players who could play for any team in the league.
“These guys play hard,” Chard said of his opponent in the final regular season game. “And they have some weapons.”
Chard pointed out 6’4”, 290 pound defensive tackle Billy Buford and 6’, 220 pound linebacker Matt Scott as two players who can be difference makers.
But Chard expects a good performance from his team during this week’s senior night contest.
Fun night
The ride home from Duncan was one few on the team will ever forget.
“It was a fun ride home - noisy,” Chard said. “These are great times. Not everyone gets to enjoy moments like that. I was happy for the kids.”
It was a good night for Chard, as well. Several of his friends in coaching called to congratulate him, as did his former boss Ron Smith - who is now the coach at Bartlesville.
Fun for the coaches, too
Chard was also happy for his coaching staff.
“It goes without saying that all of these guys have an important role on the team and all of them fulfill that role on a daily basis,” Chard said. “But what I hope people know is what great people these guys are.”
Chard said his assistants are all great guys.
“All of these guys, except for Zach (Gray) are married with kids,” Chard said. “All of them are quality guys. They get along well with each other and treat the players well.”
Chard said he has heard some take note that his team doesn’t have a lot of experience.
“It is true that we don’t have a lot of years of experience,” Chard said. “But this is a tireless and hungry staff. We work really hard. But working with guys like this, it’s great to come to work.”
Ready to compete
Chard and his staff are working on getting the team ready for the playoffs.
“We will get at least one round,” Chard said. “We have to make the most of the opportunity.” He knows his team will be an underdog to its first round opponent, but he isn’t worried about it.
“We know it won’t be easy,” Chard said. “But we will be ready.”
Chard has enjoyed a great deal of success as an assistant, even winning a state title at Deer Creek under head coach Ron Smith. But this is his first time to make the playoffs in his second year as a head coach.
“We didn’t spend a lot of time ‘paying our dues,’” Chard said. “But we have put in the work and it has paid off in a trip to the playoffs.”
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