T-Birds eyeing opportunity to slay Goliath

By Pete Watson/News Republic

The task ahead in Week 7 is monumental, but not impossible.

The Baraboo Thunderbirds football team (1-6) heads to undefeated Waunakee tonight, taking on a Warriors team that's this season's Badger North bully and boasts a 67-game home win streak. The Warriors are currently ranked No. 5 in the state by the Associated Press.

"We don't take this game any different in regards to preparation and our approach," said BHS coach Scott Carr. "More than anything the kids have to look at this game as they can win, rather than they can't."

Carr challenged his squad this week to come up with reasons why Baraboo is being viewed by many as Waunakee's next victim rather than next foe. Reasons such as the Warriors being bigger, stronger and faster flew around the room. Carr rebutted with one or two arguments discounting each of them.

"By the end of the discussion we accomplished what we wanted to do — get them focused on the fact that this isn't an impossible feat. It can happen."

Baraboo's success simply lies in out-playing the Warriors one play at a time. The players need to perform to their potential and execute with a maximum amount of effort and concentration.

"They can only put 11 guys out on the field," said Carr. "Our best 11 guys are as good as the 11 they put out on the field at any one time. There are so many of the obvious factors that stack up against us that you just have to ignore those things and focus on the X's and O's. We have to get our players to get after it."

BHS' defense will have to be stubborn, as Waunakee's offense is a threatening one. Nine players have recorded at least one touchdown, while the unit has amassed 228 points this season. Typically utilizing a thumping run game (21 rushing touchdowns), the Warriors have kept the opposition guessing with a proven passing attack that averages over 100 yards per-game.

"They do what's working for them. They are able to do a little bit of everything very well and are good at executing it," said Carr. "Though they're not fancy in their play calls, they do well enough with everything to stay highly competitive against just about any team."

The onus will likely fall on the T-Birds offense and its ability to control the ball and win the battle of field position. The offensive front of Taylor Jahn, Jake Labeots, Nick Labeots, Nick Carter and Chris Giese is an experienced and athletic unit that's up to the task.

"We should be able to execute and run the ball well," said Carr. "Whether we get points or not, we have to sustain long drives and use some clock. We need to have possessions last at least six or eight plays, even if we just exchange field position."

Carrying the ball forward falls on the shoulders of senior running back Jordan Leonhardt (6-foot-0, 195 pounds). Unlike a week ago at Portage where Leonhardt garnered 111 yards on 24 carries, Waunakee's defensive front won't bend quite as easy.

"Jordan is going to have to expect that he's going to be running into a 220-pound linebacker rather than a 160-pounder," said Carr. "It's going to take a little bit more out of him to fall forward rather than back. That's part of the mental aspect of this game, the kids have to be ready to be challenged."

The mental edge is something Carr feels BHS can take and benefit from, if it is up to the task.

"Waunakee has a game plan and they won't veer from it," he said. "What we need to do is get their kids doubting that their strategy will go 100-percent to plan. If we can strike some doubt, it'll play in our favor."