Time to get back to work
Cats grateful for week off, ready for business
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Courtesy photo Esther Fuller Photography DURING THEIR OFF WEEK, Kirbyville worked on the basics and refined their techniques in preparation for the district season. Pictured above, quarterback Aaron Hazelwood (5) hands off to Pierce Rhodes (2) who hands off to Broderick Jackson (32) on a reverse.

With the week off, Kirbyville Head Football Coach Jack Alvarez knew his Wildcats needed some rest.

"We needed the week off - we are beat up," Alvarez said. "It was good for us to get in some conditioning and work on some fundamental stuff. We just got back to basics and make sure we will be sound the rest of the way."

The Wildcats will take on Liberty Friday at Panther Stadium in their final tuneup before the start of District 21-3A.

"We're going to go out there and give it our best shot," Alvarez said. "With the week off, playing a game is conditioning and I think it will be good to get back out on the field as long as we keep everybody healthy."

"Staying healthy," though, has been an issue for the Wildcats early this season. Two key starters have already been lost for the season in pre-district contests.

"We will go out against Liberty and try to run our basic stuff and take one last look to see if some of these guys can really play," Alvarez said. "It's not for all the marbles, so we will still be playing a lot of different people and then we will make some decisions on some kids. I'm glad district doesn't start this week."

Alvarez said his team still needs another week to get ready for the wars of District 21-3A.

"We could probably use two or three more weeks," Alvarez said. "We are still in the growing stage."

Not only will the Wildcats have to deal with a good opponent in Liberty this week, but they also have to deal with a case of overlooking the Panthers and looking ahead to the start of district play.

"It's hard because the kids know what is coming," Alvarez said. "We know that district is a week around the corner but Liberty has a lot of speed and can hurt you. Our job this week as coaches is to get this team focused on the task at hand."