Football | 9/7/2017 11:28:00 AM
Goodwell, Okla.— Historically, the Aggies have always exhibited a better performance in game two of the season, and Coach Gaskamp is hoping that statistic remains true for the game this Saturday against long-standing Panhandle State football rival, the Tarleton State Texans. The Texans hold a three-win streak against the Aggies, so fans will be in for a showdown as the Aggies fight for a first win this weekend against the Lone Star Conference team.
The team will make the seven-hour drive to Stephenville, Texas to face the Texans for their first game away this season. Gaskamp reiterates that "every team is new," as the Aggies add and subtract from their roster each year and see the emergence of new freshman athletes. He hopes the team will ascertain this first road trip as a testament to their ability to remain focused and determined together, despite the travel.
With sixty-four members of the team hailing from their home state of Texas, the Aggies will look for a good turnout in the stands as they face off against Tarleton. The pros and cons of close-to-home games begin to present themselves this week, and though the Aggies will appreciate the cheering from welcoming friends and family, hopefully the team will keep strong-minded and resolute through the nostalgia of being home.
Coach Gaskamp reflects on the win against the McMurry War Hawks in their season opener last Thursday, marking the successes of the team as well as the improvements they need to make. The exciting win against the War Hawks is the first since 2015, but the Aggies suffered offensive and passing-game inefficiencies and accrued several pre-snap penalties; however, the team looks forward toward improvement against Tarleton.
Gaskamp is striving for balance among the offense and defense, and is looking to build on a run-heavy offense this season. Senior starting running back
Preston Baker will return to make his debut this Saturday and will hopefully see some major field action. Over the next couple weeks, Gaskamp will be looking for one of the Aggies' three quarterbacks to emerge as their full time starter, while sophomore DJ Scott will take the start against Tarleton.
Gaskamp is relying on good pressure from his defensive line against a talented Tarleton receiving core, and his athletes will have to build on their intensity to get past the largely athletic Texan offensive line. The Aggies demonstrated great force against the War Hawks last week, as seniors
David Smith and
Dominick Bell rose to the challenge on the defense. Bell was named CSFL Defensive Player of the Week this week, and the Aggies hope to see the same intensity from him on the field this Saturday. Junior starting defensive back
Dante Shipman will also be returning to take the field this week against the Texans, and will make for a great match-up against the Tarleton receivers, notes Gaskamp.
"Guys will need to buy in and compete this week," says Gaskamp, as he looks forward to the match up against Tarleton, "This will be a great barometer game for us in the week before the start of the CSFL conference games. Win, lose or draw we will find out a lot about ourselves this game."
Fans can keep up with the action via live stats and video links available on the athletics website opsuaggies.com.
