After a wild 58-56 comeback win over Plano East [1-7 overall, 1-5 in district 6-6A] last week, the Farmers [4-4, 3-3] gear up for a must-win matchup versus McKinney Boyd [5-3, 4-2] tonight at Boyd’s Ron Poe Stadium.

Meeting Their Goals

Head Coach Gregg Miller said the team’s goals set at the beginning of the year were to win more games overall than last year, as well in district 6-6A, and to make the playoffs. The Farmers last season finished with a 3-7 overall record and a 1-4 district record.

“Here at week eight we have done both [goals] one and two,” Miller said. “We are going to put our heads down, work hard, and do our best to finish number three.”

Miller said that there is something very special about his group of young men this year.

“The way they work together,” Miller said. “The way they believe in each other. They don’t ever quit.”

Miller said he’s impressed by his players’ work ethic despite their roller coaster season.

“We’re either all over somebody or we’re losing by a considerable amount,” Miller said. “But [the players] come to work again every Monday.”

Corralling the Broncos

With a solid pocket passing quarterback in Grant Restmeyer and a solid running back in Dedrick Scrivens, the Broncos pose a serious offensive threat to the Farmers. Miller said Boyd has a good offense, and he thinks they have one of the better running backs in the district. Miller also mentioned that he is impressed with their new quarterback this year.

“[Boyd] is missing their quarterback from last year, but [Restmeyer] is extremely efficient, effective, and does a great job of spreading the ball around,” Miller said. “They don’t just have one or two guys. We’re going to have to cover everybody.”

Scriven’s is Boyd’s work horse, rushing for 1,232 yards this season and averaging 5.7 yards per carry with 15 touchdowns. Restmeyer has thrown for 1,299 yards thus far, as well as 13 touchdowns. Among Restmeyer’s favored receivers are Jeremiah Campbell and Brandon Bowling.

Miller said that his defense will have to a good job of going back to their fundamentals to stop the Broncos.

“They’re just big ole kids,” Miller said. “[Boyd] is very athletic and very skilled.”

For the LHS offense, sophomore Tyrell Shavers caught for 165 yards on five catches and three touchdowns in a breakout performance last week. Another sophomore sensation last week was running back Robert Taylor. Taylor rushed for 109 yards last game and two touchdowns.  Senior quarterback Adrian Villarreal rushed for 70 yards in 22 carries as well.

Junior kicker Matt McDonald said his team has and can persevere through any game.

“We might not win all our games, but heck we never give up,” McDonald said. “Our team work and spirit outweighs everything.”