The COVID-19 pandemic has obviously presented many challenges for our area high school sports teams. One in particular is scheduling.
As we enter Week 6 of the high school football season, coaches still find themselves juggling schedules due to COVID-19.
Flour Bluff had their home opener against Victoria West postponed this week because of COVID-related issues within the West program. That contest has been rescheduled for Dec. 4 at Flour Bluff.
Trying to put together a schedule can be frustrating for coaches. Especially non-district games where they used to be able to pick and choose who they wanted to play.
Calallen's Phil Danaher has won more games than any other coach in Texas high school football history. He says it can be a huge challenge just to find teams to play, which could result in playing some of the best teams in the state.
"You have to play and that's why we have played people like Cornerstone, Waco Lavega and now Kerrville,” Danaher said. “Those are some good ballclubs and Gregory-Portland and Calallen will always play each other."
The Wildcats’ difficult schedule is unifying the team, according to wide receiver Jacob Arnold.
"We have by far the hardest non-district schedule in Calallen history but the competition makes us better,” Arnold said. “I think playing the tougher teams makes us a better team and makes us closer together and will show later in the season."
The tough schedule should mark the Wildcats from others, Calallen quarterback Terik Hickmon said.
“Playing teams that are really good and above average will set us apart from everyone else,” Hickmon said.
The wily Danaher says that losing early won’t kill a season.
Instead, it could unify his team – if history is any guide.
“In the two years we went to state we lost a game early in the season,” Danaher said. “It makes your kids focus and say wait a minute if we are going to get there, we are going to have to change everything up."
With a 2-2 record so far this season, the Cats hope that history repeats itself in 2020.
