By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
While the Abilene Cowboys are still searching for their first win since 2018, there is no denying that this version of the Cowboys is much improved from the team that finished 2020 at 0-6.
“In the past, our problems have been big, gaping things,” Abilene head coach Brad Nicks said. “Now our problems are a lot of little things that we’re working on ironing out.”
Last year, the Cowboys were outscored 332-26 and were shut out in two-thirds of their games.
This season, the team has lost by just 25 points on average, and narrowly missed a victory falling 14-7 to Christ Prep Academy last week.
“Our biggest issue is still consistency,” Nicks said. “Last week our defense was flying to the ball but our offense struggled whereas in previous games our offense has done well but our defense has struggled.”
Abilene will have four more chances to find that win this season, facing 3-1 Hays, 1-3 Ulysses, 3-1 Augusta and 3-1 Wamego, and remain optimistic that as long as they continue putting in the work, the wins will come.
“We want to put a run together and we would still love to get a home playoff game but if nothing else we want to have a beatable opponent in week nine,” he said. “If we can win a couple of ballgames we really believe we can do that.”
Much of that future success will hinge on the performance of first-year quarterback Stocton Timbrook, who has thrown for an impressive 787 yards this season, but has struggled with turnovers throwing eight picks along with eight touchdowns.
Whether the results come this season or not, the rebuild in Abilene is progressing nicely thanks to a core of senior leaders that have committed everything to right the ship.
“I can’t say enough about how great our senior class has been,” Nicks said. “They understand that they’re not going to reap the benefits of their work but they want to help rebuild this program the right way and they’ve given our younger kids an incredible example of how to lead.”
That attitude in the locker room has been contagious and the youth of this Cowboys team is slowly beginning to see the fruits of their labor.
“I think the best thing I’ve seen from this team is their willingness to be coachable,” he said. “I love going to practice every day because all of these kids want to get better and they want to be coached.”
Abilene’s next test will come at home when they welcome the 3-1 Hays Indians to town.
For more on Abilene in 2021 stay tuned to the Salina Post.