Game of the Week Preview: Branson’s offensive line pushing Pirates to success
· Yahoo Sports
BRANSON--The Branson Pirates enter week four of the high school football season on smooth seas, after dominating their last two games, following their season opening loss.
The Pirates ran over Rolla, then Marshfield to move to 2-1 on the fall, but now, have to face a foe in their own Class 5 weightclass, the West Plains Zizzers.
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The Zizzers will come to the Pirate Ship sporting an unblemished record at 3-0. However, West Plains has yet to beat Branson in the previous two meetings. The Pirates won both of those contests by at least two touchdowns.
However, Pirates Head Coach, Aaron Hafner knows the past has no bearing on the present.
"Doesn't matter what you did last week," said Hafner. You gotta go out and prove it again, Friday night."
The Pirates offense has proven to be a formidable force, this fall. With 19 seniors on the team, including quarterback, JR Pastrana, running back, Blake Webber, and center, Sawyer Wilks, there's a reason their triple option attack has been finding the endzone a lot.
Coach Hafner takes special pride in personally overseeing the battle in the trenches.
"I know the value and importance of an offensive line," Hafner said. "I love the details of coaching that. Kind of putting those things into play as far as being a physical team and to have my hand on that offensive line is really, really important."
The satisfaction Coach Hafner takes in the lines success is greatly appreciated by his upperclassmen.
"You win or lose by this position and by this group of people," said Pirates senior center, Sawyer Wilks. "So, for him to have that much pride in us means a lot."
Running the triple option may be hackneyed, in some coaches minds or playbook, but it gives the offensive line more chances to attack the defense.
"As an o-lineman I love that a lot more than just going back in protection and waiting, Wilks said. "I love to go initiate the contact, not wait for them to hit me."
Even though quarterbacks aren't known for embracing contact, Pastrana isn't shy about going heads up with defenders in this system.
"As a quarterback, running the triple option, yeah, I like running the ball a lot," Running backs love running the ball, but we pass here and there. For me, it's just I've always been a runner. I like getting hit, I like bringing the hit, or maybe breaking out for a touchdown. It's just a good feeling."
If the Pirates can take down the Zizzers, Friday night, then they'll have a legitimate shot at finishing the season with a winning record for a third consecutive season, considering, four of their next five opponents have a combined record of 4-7.
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