The Pampa Harvesters (2-1) are coming off of their best performance of the young season, a 51-17 thumping of Borger, when they start a two-game home-stand Friday against Randall.
“Our goal is to always play harder than them,” Head Coach Cody Robinson said. “That includes when you turn on film on Saturday, that’s ultimately what we want to see. We don’t want our kids to play careful, we want them to be aggressive. A perfect effort is always going to stick out. Our effort was very good and I think we played harder (against Borger) than we did in the previous to games.”
The Harvesters had a total of 347 yards in the contest against Borger. As they turn their attention to Friday, the Harvesters will host the Randall Raiders, who have victories over Canyon (20-13) and Caprock (27-13).
“They are a solid football team and are probably the most talented team we play on our schedule,” Robinson said. “They are similar to what we do offensively and defensively. They have speed at quarterback and wide receiver.”
That offense is led by senior quarterback Braxton Burd (#10), who has weapons at wide receiver including Nathan Baker (#1) and Isayah Hernandez (#17). Defensively, their line is anchored by Jarrett Diggs (#28) and Aiden Dreup (#72).
“When you talk about the whole defensive line, our offensive line is going to have to get after them,” Robinson said.
Friday night is Senior Night for the Harvesters, and Robinson said the group of seniors he is coaching in his inaugural season has been extra special to him.
“I can think about programs I have been in and head coaches that I worked for that had a big impact on me, they loved kids,” Robinson said. “I remember them talking about their first class. What a group of kids (for me). They are first class young men to be my first class.
“Wherever you make the expectations, they’ll go. We’ve got some quality young men in our program and those 23 seniors are a special group. I’m one of those people who once I’m your head coach, I’m always your head coach. These young men will always have a special place in my heart and my career.”
Keys to the game
• Consistency — “Being consistent on both offense and defense. We’ve had glimpses of how good of a team we can be. Even against Borger, in anything you do you’re not competing against them you’re competing against yourself. Every day when you wake up, yourself is your biggest opponent. We need to be consistent in our effort and execution.”
• Execution — “We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot. We’ve all got to do our job individually, all 11 on the field, at one time. When you’re playing a good football, and you’re a good football team, it comes down to execution and effort. It’ll come down to little bitty things in the game.”
• Special teams — “I think special teams will be a big thing Friday. It’s always a tell of a close game or tough game.”
Game time is Friday night at 7 p.m. at Harvester Stadium.
