By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Parma — This was a playoff team a year ago, and one, that despite an influx of youth, wants to be the same in 2016.
Thursday night may have a lot to say as to whether or not that hope becomes reality.
One week after dropping the season opener, the Western football team faces a sort-of must win as it welcomes in Battle Creek Pennfield.
Or, a loss will force the Panthers to win six of their final seven games to get back in the postseason.
“This is a huge game for us,” coach Dave Mifsud said. “”We have a team that’s confident, but being 0-2 would do a lot to invite some doubts. We have to go out, get this win, and start moving forward.”
Western fell to Grosse Ile 41-21 in the season opener, though Mifsud cautioned about any panic geared toward the defense.
“They had a punt return for a touchdown, a pick-6 and another interception that set up the third score,” he said. “So it wasn’t all on the defense.”
But some of it was.
Western allowed 280 yards rushing in the loss.
“Pennfield is a team that plays hard. They are very quick, very athletic,” Mifsud said. “They brought a lot of guys back. We have to be ready up front to stop the run. … We are young and inexperienced, and that was the concern coming into the season. We feel we have the right pieces; we just have to mature as a team. I think that was evident last week. We just made too many mistakes. We expect great improvement. The question is whether or not it’s enough.”
Western is also dealing with the loss of Luke French.
The junior slot receiver and defensive back injured his knee in Week 1. “We have some other guys who can step up now,” Mifsud said.
Western has defeated Pennfield two years in a row, including last year’s 28-14 victory.
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
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