Butch Henderson knows that nothing replaces hard work when it comes to a successful football team. But benefiting from a big play here or there never hurt, either.
Henderson's Wayland Baptist Pioneers certainly have enjoyed their share of big plays in their first two games, from pick-sixes to lengthy touchdown passes to a kicking game that's been nothing short of phenomenal.
"We have to continue to make plays like we have the last two games – offensively, defensively and in the kicking game," Henderson said as he prepared Wayland (2-0) to take on another undefeated team, Hardin-Simmons (2-0), at 1 p.m. Saturday at Abilene's Shelton Stadium. "I feel like that's a big reason why we've been successful to this point. The guys are playing hard, but they're also making plays, which helps you build momentum."
Coverage links for Saturday afternoon's game are available on
www.wbuathletics.com.
Both the Pioneers and Cowboys beat up on Southwestern in their season-openers, with Wayland defeating Southwestern College of Kansas, 42-5, and Hardin-Simmons taking out Southwestern University of Georgetown, 77-6. The Cowboys then won last week over another NCAA Division III, 18
th-ranked Texas Lutheran, 35-27, for HSU's first road victory over a ranked team in 11 years. Hardin-Simmons scored with 25 seconds left to win it.
"They're a good football team," Henderson said of the Cowboys, pointing out that Hardin-Simmons, like Wayland, has been similarly well-rounded thus far with solid performances in all three phases of the game. "Besides being as good as they are offensively, they scored 23 points early against Southwestern (on special teams)."
Wayland will be looking to avenge last season's 37-23 homecoming loss to Hardin-Simmons. In that back-and-forth game, Wayland -- after giving up a 69-yard touchdown pass and a 97-yard fumble return – pulled to within six points early in the fourth quarter but couldn't get any closer as the Cowboys scored 10 points in the final four minutes, the last seven after taking over deep in Wayland territory when the Pioneers failed to convert a fourth-down.
Weston Garner (6-3, 200) returns at quarterback for the Cowboys, although now he splits time with another junior, Ryan Breton (6-0, 200).
"They're both equal in what they do," Henderson said.
HSU leads NCAA Division III in passing efficiency, having completed 37-of-49 passes for 664 yards with 10 touchdowns and just one interception. Garner has been the more prolific of the two, completing 29-of-37 throws (78 percent) for 454 yards with five touchdowns and one pick. Breton has only thrown six passes, but four have been for TDs.
While in the past Hardin-Simmons has been a predominant passing team, Henderson said the Cowboys are more balanced under fifth-year head coach Jesse Burleson.
"They still have that pass flavor, but they've balanced it with the run. They're pretty much even run and throw," Henderson said. "Their offense is pretty potent. You can't ignore the run, then if you get too many up in the box they throw on you."
Senior Kerry Sloan (5-11, 212) has rushed for 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns in HSU's two games, averaging 5.3 yards a carry. Dating to last season, Sloan has rushed for at least 100 yards in six straight games and eight of the last nine.
Henderson said the Cowboys get lots of bodies into the game throughout their line-up.
"They play lots of athletes, including a lot of offensive linemen," he said.
One player who mostly stays on the field is senior receiver Jessie Ramos (5-10, 170), who leads the team with 18 catches for 376 yards and four TDs.
"He will be around the ball most of the time," Henderson said of Ramos.
The coach said the Pioneers have done a great job creating turnovers, and they'll try to continue that trend Saturday. On the season Wayland is plus-five in turnovers, having lost two fumbles and thrown one interception on offense, while on defense coming up with four fumble recoveries and four INTs, including two pick-sixes by
Josh Paul and
Kaleen Jones.
"When you're ahead in that turnover ratio you really have a chance to win, and it's even bigger when you can get points with your defense," Henderson said. "In addition to the turnovers, we've held (opponents) on a couple of fourth-downs, so that's like a turnover."
HSU also has been a turnover machine, forcing seven and also sporting a turnover ratio of plus-five.
The Cowboys defense is anchored by the line.
"Their front four are really good," Henderson said. "All four are seniors. They're big and strong, and they do a good job moving to the ball. They allow the back end (of the defense) to have a lot more freedom because those front four play so well."
Already 2-0 for the first time since restarting football four years ago, the Pioneers are looking to keep things rolling, knowing they have three straight home games after this week, featuring the start of Central States Football League play in two weeks.
"We're taking it one week at a time," Henderson said. "This will be a good test for us. We've got to keep plugging."
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