It could be argued that every game on a team's schedule is the most important, but the Wayland Baptist football team's upcoming contest against Sul Ross State is especially meaningful.
For starters, Saturday's 2 p.m. game against the Lobos will tell Pioneers coach
Butch Henderson how his team reacts following its first loss of the season. It also is the club's final tune-up before the start of Central States Football League play. And finally, it's the start of a three-game home stand during which time the Pioneers hope to re-establish their momentum following back-to-back season-opening victories.
"We need to get that winning feeling back because we start conference next week, and it will be a heck of a lot better going in there 3-1," Henderson said.
Before the Pioneers (2-1) entertain Sul Ross State (0-2) at 2 p.m. at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium, a tailgate party featuring free food and drinks will be hosted by Wal-Mart Distribution Center. The party, beginning around 12:45 p.m., will take place in the west parking lot of the stadium. Fans are invited to join the WBU cheerleaders and band at the tailgate, where Pioneer players will walk through on their way to the field for warm-ups, beginning at 1 p.m.
Also, a car caravan will begin gathering in front of the Laney Center on campus at noon. Free food, giveaways, and decorations for cars will be available. The caravan will proceed to the stadium around 12:30.
The game will mark the Pioneers' first home game in a month, since opening the season with a 42-5 win over Southwestern College (Kan.) Following an open week, Wayland went on the road to defeat Howard Payne, 44-34, before falling last week to Hardin-Simmons in Abilene, 49-7.
Like in their first two games, big plays – especially turnovers – played a pivotal role in last week's outcome, only this time it was the opposing team benefitting from them instead of Wayland. The Pioneers turned the ball over three times on their first four possessions, and Hardin-Simmons took advantage by taking a 28-0 lead early in the second quarter.
"After that happened we started pressing and they were able to cut loose on us," Henderson said, adding that Wayland's offense moved the ball effectively much of the game but couldn't come away with many points.
Now, the coach said, the Pioneers must circle the wagons and re-discover their strengths.
"The biggest thing is we've got to go back and be who we are," Henderson said. "We need to make plays in all three parts of the game, which means defensively going back to creating turnovers, and offensively going back to getting points.
"Big plays happen because you make an explosive run or big catch. Those things create momentum and let you do more things."
Henderson said the Pioneers have gotten past the loss and are ready to move forward.
"We've had a some really good practices. The kids realize we played a really good team, and that we have to make plays like we did (in their first two games). You have to be who you are. If you do that everything else takes care of itself."
Sul Ross is looking for its first win after falling to Texas Lutheran, 44-27, and Trinity University, 30-12. Those teams have played two common opponents as Wayland, with Texas Lutheran losing to Hardin-Simmons, 35-27, and Trinity defeated Howard Payne, 23-16.
"They're playing a lot better than their scores show," Henderson said of Sul Ross. "They're moving the ball well, they're just giving up big plays. They're putting things together."
When the Pioneers and Lobos met last season in Alpine, Sul Ross jumped out to a 20-2 lead early in the second quarter and was up 27-11 early in the fourth before Wayland rallied with a pair of touchdowns to pull within a field goal with 4:25 to go. The Pioneer defense forced a three-and-out and WBU's offense took over at its own 41-yard line with just under two minutes to play, but the Pioneers couldn't convert a fourth-and-six near midfield and the Lobos were able to run out the clock and win it, 27-24.
Henderson said this year's Sul Ross team is "similar to a year ago" and possess a balanced attack.
"Offensively they do a variety of things. They throw the ball and are able to run it. They get started running the ball with a two-back offense and three wide receivers, which still allows them to throw. You can't empty the box on them because they can run the football."
The Lobos are without injured quarterback James Davis, who as a freshman against Wayland last year rushed for 204 yards and threw for 182 more. Davis played in SRSU's opener against Texas Lutheran, throwing for 274 yards, before freshman Jordan Reyes took over last week and threw for 252 yards, completing 23-of-40 with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
Om the ground, SRSU's top rusher is sophomore Hasan Lipscomb (5-11, 188), who rushed for close to 100 yards and a TD against Texas Lutheran.
On defense, Henderson said the Lobos get after opposing offenses.
"They play a very aggressive type of defense where they're coming after you a bunch. It fits the kids they have; they are quick," Henderson said, pointing out that junior end Zack Robertson (6-2, 240) was voted American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Week after getting 13 tackles, including two for loss, and forcing the first of his two fumbles.
Henderson said the Pioneers would like nothing better than to get back to their winning ways prior to next week's homecoming game against Arizona Christian to start CSFL play.
"We've put (the loss to Howard Payne) behind us and are excited to be at home again," he said, adding that playing at home offers several benefits. "The (pregame) routine is easier to establish, and although Wayland people are really good about being wherever we play, more of our fans can get to the home games.
"That makes it more fun."
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