WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — This week’s KSN Game of the Week is headed to Andover, where Andover Central will play host to Goddard-Eisenhower on Friday night.
The Andover Central Jaguars enter the matchup with a 5-1 record, with that lone loss coming against Goddard High School.
Players at Andover Central said the loss was a much-needed reminder that nothing is going to come easy if they hope to capture a state championship in November.
“Losing to Goddard humbled us a little bit I think,” quarterback Jace Jefferson said. “I mean, we came back hungrier and just kept doing our thing, so we should make it back. I think it didn’t really build off because we started off, so we didn’t write anything down until the fourth quarter. So I mean, just starting off fast? I think so, yeah.”
Senior lineman Dawson Rodd said after that loss, they’re more focused heading into each matchup.
“More so just being locked in, I mean, we’re just more focused,” Rodd said. “I mean, we needed a loss so we could just be ready and know that we got to play our best every time we go out. We’ve got to play our brand of football and we just got to control what we can control very much.”
As for Eisenhower, they say they are less focused on Andover Central and more focused on what they can improve at in order to give themselves the best chance to win. That’s worked so far this year as they enter the game with a perfect 6-0 record.
“Details,” Eisenhower head coach Darrin Fisher said. “We’ve been preaching our kids details. It’s the little things, as far as steps and tackling … be really sharp on the details. You know, play hard, play fast. And the score will take care of itself. We enjoy the tough matchups. You know, when we’re facing a team like this, it can all it can only make us better. You know, we got a big goal in mind. And hey, this is just another step, another opportunity for us to continue to get better.”
