By: Nora Scott
Coming off an easy 52-20 victory in their opening game against Coffee County Central High School, the Battle Ground Academy Wildcats will move on to face a more challenging opponent on Friday. The Fighting Irish of Father Ryan, who lost their opening game against Overton last week, will be BGA’s first home opponent of the 2013 season.
Since Battle Ground ranks 8 teams below Father Ryan in the state, Friday’s game will be the first real test for the team this season. The Wildcats will be especially eager to beat Father Ryan after failing to score against them last year and losing 6 of their last 9 match-ups.
The Wildcat offense proved last week that it should have no problem scoring this season, at least against weaker defenses, but they have a chance to establish themselves as a real threat to all of their opponents this season with a strong performance against Father Ryan.
Though the defense held off Coffee County enough to easily win, it’s almost always easy to win with 52 points. The defense will have a harder job stopping the Fighting Irish offense, which scored 3 touchdowns in the opening week. In addition to that, BGA will need to allow fewer points since the offense cannot be expected to have another 50 point game.
This will be a pivotal game for both teams. Father Ryan will be fighting to keep from falling to 0-2 and Battle Ground Academy will be trying to climb to 2-0 and keep their momentum going from last week’s win. Because Father Ryan was winless on the road last year, lost an away game against lower-ranked Overton last week, and BGA had a strong opening game, the Wildcats seem to have the odds in their favor.
BGA will have the annual Wildcat Welcome starting at 5 PM on Friday to celebrate the beginning of a new school year and the first home football game of the season. The festivities will include a pep rally, grilling, live music performed by students, face painting, and more. Kickoff is at 7.
