Homecoming heartbreak for Huskies football

Ethan Hoagland

Homecoming heartbreak hit the Sweet Home football team after losing 41-7 against #10 Junction City. Head Coach Ryan Adams told The New Era that the team went into the game excited, knowing they’d be running against some stiff competition. Preparing to defend against the Tigers’ offense proved a central challenge, as both teams modified their strategies from last season.

“They only threw the ball twice last year,” Adams said. “This year they ran a winged T, but it was more spread out.” Despite the loss, it was an important learning experience for the team.

“We knew our struggle was just gonna be putting our guys in positions to make plays,” Adams said. “We definitely struggled with defending, but it was in a completely different way from last year.”

It’s the second time the Huskies took on the Tigers since Junction City High School rejoined the 4A division last year. The Huskies faced a brutal offense from the Tigers last season, losing 59-34 in Junction City’s homecoming game.

It must have been a bittersweet chance to even the record, as the Huskies’ roster boasts 14 seniors– more than a quarter of the team. But with an even bigger portion of juniors making up the team (18 players), the stakes are high for next season’s game.

“That’s a tough burden that you wear, playing these guys, these teams that are all top ten in the state,” Adams said. “We’re just trying to find ways to compete.”

The Huskies now stand 0-6 for this season. Just like last year, the Huskies follow up their Junction City showdown with a game against Ashland on Friday the 13th. It’ll take more than luck to avenge the team’s homecoming loss against Ashland last year. But the Huskies will need to steel their nerves on enemy turf. Kickoff is 7pm at Ashland.

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