They more than believe they’ve earned their third straight postseason berth.
“We wouldn’t be there if we didn’t deserve to be there,” Granger first-year coach Allen Dews said.
The Lions (4-6) are out to prove it when they take on Bosqueville (7-3) at 7:30 tonight in a Division II bi-district game at Wildcat Stadium. The winner will advance to play Burton, which has a first-round bye.
“It’s all brand-new now - nothing else matters anymore,” Dews. “We’ve had to endure some adversity. They’re ready to make a stand and see if we can right the ship.”
A senior-laden Granger team advanced to the Class A Division I state semifinals last season, and what talent the Lions had returning from that squad has been severely hampered by injury.
Quarterback Kenny Sifuentes, who’s been hobbled by an ankle injury for most of the season, is “questionable at best” for tonight’s game, Dews said. Sifuentes has a combined 1,016 yards and 12 TDs passing and rushing.
“We’re trying to see what we can do,” Dews said of the gameplan with Sifuentes. “We’ll use him when we can.”
If Sifuentes can’t play tonight, junior Jason Finn will start under center.
Aside from Sifuentes, the Lions lost their other senior playmaker, running back Bradley Sims, midway through the season to an ankle injury. In his absence, Granger has taken a by-committee approach in the backfield with Matthew Castillo, Cole Helfrich and Robbie Filla, among others.
“We’re going to hit you with all of them,” said Dews, who was promoted after coach Stacey Hunt left for Wharton. “They can’t just key in one back.”
Though Granger, which finished third in District 26-A, led the district in scoring, the Lions’ biggest problem has been turnovers. A big reason for that, Dews said, is having to put young players in tight situations because the lineup has been so depleted because of injury.
“That’s become a big push for us to make sure we get it taken care of,” Dews said. “You’ve got younger kids getting more carries; they’re not used to that. They’re overcoming it.”
Against Bosqueville, the Lions’ biggest job will stopping quarterback Blaze Blackburn and the Bulldogs’ high-flying offense.
Blackburn has completed 103 of 169 passes for 1,771 yards and 23 TDs, with just five interceptions. His top receivers are Cody Feight, who has 40 catches for 670 yards and nine TDs, and Cameron Hoffmeyer (25-464-five).
Running back David Johnson averages 8 yards per carry and has scored seven TDs.
“They’re a very talented spread offense,” Dews said. “It’s a good challenge to see if we can stop their playmakers.”
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
