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SISTERVILLE -- The Oak Glen football team is coming off a strong all-around performance against Bridgeport, and the Golden Bears are looking to put another one together this week against Tyler Consolidated.
After falling behind 3-0 against the Bulldogs, the Golden Bears scored 56 unanswered points on their way to a 56-3 victory via mercy rule Saturday afternoon on Perkins Field inside Bill Jobko Stadium.
"Definitely, but we watched the film and there are still things we need to fix and correct," first-year Oak Glen (6-1) head coach TJ Miller said about the game being a total team effort. "We have watched the film, and we're very pleased. We have had two good film sessions and two good practice. We're very pleased, but we are not complacent."
This week, the boys from Hancock County hit the road once again as Oak Glen is set to take on Tyler Consolidated at 7:30 p.m. Friday night on the road.
"Their athleticism," Miller said asked what stands out about the Silver Knights. "They have a lot of good athletes. They're quick on the field. They are not the biggest team, but what they lack in size they make up for with their athleticism. They have some nice weapons. They are going to be a tough challenge for us."
The boys from Tyler County are entering the game this week coming off a bye.
"They like to run the football," Miller said. "They will mix in some pass, but they want to establish the run. No. 2 (Gideon) Winfrey and No. 21 (Cayden) Hackathorn are both nice weapons. They have Reese Davis who was all-state in baseball. He's a top athlete. They have some weapons. They want to establish the run. We're going to have to play good defense, and have good film sessions."
The Silver Knights (3-3) did win their last game as Tyler Consolidated shut out Magnolia, 35-0, Oct. 3 at home.
"Defensively, it is the same thing," Miller said. "They have a lot of athletes. They fly to the football. They try to limit your run game. They have got good athletes. Defensively, they fly to the football. They are a good football team."
The Silver Knights have won their last two games after suffering through a three game losing streak. After opening the season with a 38-14 win against Ritchie County, Tyler Consolidated lost its next three games to Wahama (28-13), Doddridge County (47-8) and Petersburg (28-13) before bouncing back and defeating Cameron (14-12).
Tyler Consolidated was a member of the OVAC for 24 years before announcing its departure from the conference in June 2017 to become a member of the Little Kanawha Conference. The Silver Knights were a member of both conferences going back to 2008.
"They have bounced around," Miller said. "We're familiar with them. They play more of a down state schedule with Wahama, Doddridge County and Petersburg. They play a tough schedule. They are .500. They are 3-3, but they have lost to three good football programs.
"We're not taking anyone lightly. We are going to have to show up Friday ready to go. We're going to have to execute. We're excited. We are going to have to show up and take care of business."
Oak Glen has had to make some adjustments to its preparation this week has the locals have a short week to prepare for the Silver Knights thanks to playing Saturday afternoon instead of the usual Friday night.
"A little bit," Miller asked if there was a difference in preparations this week. "We had a good coaches meeting Sunday. We had a good practice Monday. It was a full practice. We had a good film session and a good practice. We have had good film sessions. We tape all of our practices. We do a lot of film work. We see things on film that we have to correct. We're going to be ready to go Friday night."
The Golden Bears are looking to record their fourth straight victory this week.
"Up front, we are going to have to get a good push," Miller said. "We are going to have to execute in the trenches. Defensively, we are going to have to stop the run. They have some nice athletes. We are going to have to contain them. We are going to have to limit their running game. If we do that, we are going to be very successful Friday night."
Oak Glen enters play this week in 11th place in the West Virginia Class AA playoff rankings. The top 16 teams in each class qualify for the playoffs. The Silver Knights are in 19th place.
"We're not going to overlook anyone," Miller said. "We are focused on going 1-0 this week. We know what is at stake. We are excited about this opportunity."