GANADO òòò½ÊÓƵ” Ganado has already done something no other Ganado team has done, and hope to do more.
Ganado has never played for a state championship in football, but that will change at 11 a.m. Thursday when the Indians (14-1) take on Stamford (15-0) in the Class 2A, Division I final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWeòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve been talking about that since before the Joaquin game, that we can make history and do something thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s never been done before,òòò½ÊÓƵ Ganado quarterback Bryce Ullman said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe did that and now weòòò½ÊÓƵ™re ready for this opportunity.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Ganado expected to be on this stage since last season ended, and were ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll. The final state poll before the postseason had Stamford ranked No. 1.
òòò½ÊÓƵœTheyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re a really solid team with good players everywhere,òòò½ÊÓƵ Ganado head coach Josh Ervin said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThey play together, theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re so well coached and thereòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a reason that theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re in the state championship game. Thereòòò½ÊÓƵ™s no weaknesses that I can see.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Ganadoòòò½ÊÓƵ™s defense has allowed a total of 34 points in its last four games. Over the last three weeks, the Indians have faced teams with a size advantage in the trenches. That theme will continue against Stamford.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWe have to get off our blocks and go make tackles,òòò½ÊÓƵ Austen Pena said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWeòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve been making plays all over the place on defense, our line is really good and we have a good secondary, but this week itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s about getting off blocks.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Colder temperatures and high winds the past three weeks have slowed the impact of Ganadoòòò½ÊÓƵ™s passing game. This week, there will be no weather concerns under the roof of AT&T Stadium.
òòò½ÊÓƵœIt excites me,òòò½ÊÓƵ Ullman said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThereòòò½ÊÓƵ™s no excuses for the last few weeks, we got to complete passes no matter what the conditions are, but I do think this could be a game changer.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Ganado has multiple receivers, making it difficult to shut down its passing game. Ullman has thrown 45 touchdown passes this season in 11 games, and five receivers have at least six touchdown catches, and four have at least 30 receptions.
Ganado is not overly reliant on one player. Ullman and starting running back Logan Bures missed the first three games of the season. The Indians went 2-1 in those games.
While preparing for Stamford, Ullman recognizes some of those same qualities in Ganadoòòò½ÊÓƵ™s championship opponent.
òòò½ÊÓƵœAll around theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re a great team, they play really well together, theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re kind of like us,òòò½ÊÓƵ Ullman said. òòò½ÊÓƵœThey donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t have just one guy that stands out, theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re real well-oiled as a team and that makes them really good.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Ganado has been building to this game since its loss to Timpson in last yearòòò½ÊÓƵ™s semifinals. With 16 seniors on the roster, the Indians have experienced just about everything there is in high school football outside of playing in a state final game.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI think one of the biggest things we have going for us is the experience of going to the semifinals last year,òòò½ÊÓƵ Ervin said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe remember what that was like, it we had a great offseason and we had the expectation to be here and the moment is not too big for these guys.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The players insist they are ready for whatever comes their way.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWe just have to play well and go out there and execute,òòò½ÊÓƵ Ullman said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWeòòò½ÊÓƵ™re excited to go play for a ring, and we just need to execute to the best of our ability and give everything weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve got.òòò½ÊÓƵ
