CALIFORNIA, Mo. - Homecoming shouldn't be a distraction for veteran teams, but for a mostly young team like California, head coach Marty Albertson doesn't want his players' attention to stray too far from the football field.
"We just got to try and keep them focused on the most important thing, and that's winning the football game this Friday," Albertson said. "Hopefully they'll do that because if you lose the football game, it kind of ruins the Homecoming activities."
Not only is it Homecoming week, the Pintos are also trying to extend their winning streak to four games while remaining undefeated in the Tri-County Conference. With a matchup with rival Blair Oaks looming next Friday, California must first take care of Southern Boone (3-2, 1-2 Tri-County Conference) tonight.
"I hope not," Albertson said when asked if Blair Oaks is on the minds of the players. "We can't look over Southern Boone, because Southern Boone is probably the next-best team in the conference. We played them twice last year, when they were really young. They'll be a tough task this week."
All season long, California has prepared each week to take what the opposing defense is giving them. Since Week 3 and with the emergence of sophomore quarterback Jacob Wolken, it's worked. But on the other hand, teams are starting to figure out what type of offense this Pintos team really is, as opposed to not knowing what to expect from them.
Albertson mentioned last week his team could move back to a tight end, running-based offense if Hallsville was going to try to take away his passing formation.
"(Hallsville was) giving us the quick stuff underneath, but then the quick stuff underneath set up the long pass," Albertson said. "Sometimes for the short ones, you have to take those first. That sets up everything else."
As far as Southern Boone, Albertson sees potential to throw on them like his team has been doing the last three weeks.
"I think they run a 3-4 and walk to the two outside linebackers up, so it looked like a 5-2," he said. "It opens up some passing lanes. If they keep those outside backs to the inside, then they'll only have two guys out there to cover us."
Not only has Wolken emerged as a top quarterback in the area, you could make a case made his receivers are helping that happen.
Senior Landon Mouse has 18 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns, and senior Josh Woodruff is a close second with 274 yards. Woodruff's average of 30 yards per catch and four receiving touchdowns lead the team. Senior Ethan Hodges and sophomore Kyle Hofstetter are third and fourth on the team in receiving yards with 124 and 105, respectively, and they each have a touchdown.
Albertson said he would put his top-four receivers against anybody in the conference.
"Defensively, they've seem to give up quite a few points," Albertson said. "I think we'll be able to move the ball on them and score some points. We just have to be able to hold them down."
California has only faced one spread team this season, a 42-0 win against Versailles, but this is a different type of spread team. Not only can Southern Boone go three or four wide, it has two running backs that can cause some problems. Senior Laron Wallace is the speedster and junior Tanner Smith is more of Southern Boone's bruiser.
"I think we match up well," Albertson said. "Basically, I think we have to sellout and stop their run. You've got to be able to stop the run and make them one-dimensional."
Teams have been able to run against California's defense, with teams averaging 205 rushing yards, but opposing offenses are only gaining 64 passing yards a game.
The Pintos' defense has taken a bend-but-don't-break mentality, forcing a lot of long drives that end on fourth down or with a turnover. California has forced 14 turnovers the season, just about three per game.
Homecoming festivities start at 6:30 p.m., with kickoff at 7 p.m.
California hosts Southern Boone - Updates on Twitter: @CDemocratSports, @PintosAthletics and @SBooneHS. Listen live online: pintosonline.com
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