17-17 game at the half. Then the wheels come off for the Wildcats in the second half of a 53-17 loss to Frisco Wakeland Friday night at The Prim. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens discussed the game on KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coach’s Show this past Saturday (August 31). Coach Owens acknowledged that in the first half the Wildcats played well utilizing two straight onside kicks to create opportunities and then using those to put points on the board. He said the Wildcats got after it and battled during the first half. Coach Owens said in the second half, the Wolverines took it to the Wildcats and he said the Wildcats lost their poise in some areas. He said his young team is maturing and learning. Coach Owens said they made a lot of mistakes including penalties and band busts (misreading their wrist bans full of plays). He said there is a lot of stuff the Wildcats need to clean up and he added video is the tool to use to help do it. Coach Owens did find some positives. He said defensive ends Cameron Kaufert and D’Andre Peoples had good games. He liked the game of sophomore defensive back Korderrian “Bull” Turner. Coach Owens said offensive lineman Ryan Hammonds played well and was physical. He said running backs Caden Davis and Da’Korian “Chock” Sims did a great job. He was thrilled by the 55-yard catch and run by hard working receiver Zach Tiemeyer. Coach Owens said receiver Aidan Walker had a nice run after a catch. He said receiver Noe Ponce had a good night catching and blocking. He said quarterback Kaden Wallace had a good game except for a couple of plays. Coach Owens praised kickers Brandon Zavala and Osiel Lopez. Among things to improve on, Coach Owens said in the second half linebackers didn’t read their keys and react as they should have. He said the defensive backs need to play with more confidence. Coach Owens said he was frustrated by offsides calls and lining up offsides. There was the big mishap on a punt snap. But to put things in perspective, Coach Owens said the loss really had no impact on the Wildcats season adding they have to continue to work to get ready for all important district play. He noted that the Wildcats played with great effort and played hard. Coach Owens said this was no time to panic. Still he said the players need to have an urgency to get better. Coach Owens expects a Frisco Wakeland type challenge again this Friday as the Wildcats take on Lovejoy at Lucas.
