By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The injury bug hit the Salina South Cougars hard in the first half of the season, which has certainly been a factor in the team’s 1-3 record to open 2021.
Running back Brandt Cox, who was touted as one of the most physical backs in the state prior to the season, went down with an injury in week two and has yet to return to the field.
Cox wasn’t the only casualty of the first four games, as little by little the Cougar’s depth has been tested.
“We’ve been forced to start some different guys because of the injuries,” South head coach Sam Sellers said. “We were hoping to ease the sophomores in more gradually but you have to play the cards you’re dealt week to week and roll with the punches.”
Despite the tough breaks, the Cougars have been taking all of this in stride, even though one of the tougher stretches of their 2021 schedule.
“They’ve done a really good job of sticking together,” Sellers said. “We know that we have a lot of opportunities left to achieve our team goals and they’ve done a good job of keeping our big goal in mind from week to week.”
With several key players being moved around, sophomores like Alex Davidson, Ian Andalon, Kaden Budke and Carson Power have had to step up in a big way for the Cougars.
Salina South will have a chance to rebound against four quality opponents but remain cognizant of the fact that a record over .500 is still very much a possibility.
“We feel very strongly that these last four games are all very winnable but they’re also very losable,” he said. “Our kids know what’s at stake and they’re hungry for a chance to get at four really good opponents.”
The first of those opponents will come in the form of the 3-1 Maize Eagles who will make the trip to Salina this week.
After that, South will spend the next two weeks on the road at 2-2 Hutchinson and 0-4 Newton before the season finale against cross-town rival Salina Central to close out the regular season.
For the Cougars to right the ship, consistency will have to be a focus as the team has struggled at times to hang onto the ball and bring down opponents.
“Offensively we have to take better care of the football and defensively we’ve been really hit and miss with our tackling so we need to be more consistent there,” Sellers said.
Kickoff between South and Maize is scheduled for 7pm at Salina Stadium.
For more on the Cougar football team in 2021 stay tuned to the Salina Post.