Crusader Preview: Wellington to make varsity debut on Sellers Park new turf against Andale
Seller Park has itself some new turf.
By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — After what has been an interesting off-season of dirt removal, ground leveling, and a new Bermuda turf, Wellington will be hosting its first varsity football game of the season Friday night.
The locker room debut is still… TBD.
Andale comes into town with as much fanfare as it always has. The Indians are not only winners but a little boring. Everyone knows what to expect.
The Indians opened the season with a convincing 68-7 victory over win-deprived El Dorado. In that game, Andale scored 24 points in the first and 36 in the second to take a 60-0 into the locker room. It seems like Wellington has seen that scenario before.
It also doesn’t help that Andale came into this season with a chip on its shoulders after its 57-game winning streak ended against Cheney and was later knocked out of the playoffs by the very same team.
Still, Jeremiah Meeks, Wellington head football coach, is optimistic.
“They are not as big up front as they have been,” he said. “If we can give Dusty (Bannister) some time, I think we could have a dog fight.”
When asked if Vegas had an over/under of 100 points on this high school game at Crusader Club on Monday, Meeks said, “I’d take the over.”
Andale rushed for 378 yards in the El Dorado game, led by quarterback Sam Harp, who ran for 100 yards and a touchdown, and Landon Harp who added 89 yards and two scores.
As the Indians have repeatedly demonstrated, they know how to make the big play.
Wellington’s defense may not be able to stop Andale, but it would like to slow it down.
“Last week was the best I’ve ever seen the defense play here in Wellington,” Meeks said. “I was so proud of them.”
Wellington held Collegiate to 225 yards in total offense, and outpaced the Spartans statistically with 332 yards. And that included an 81-yard pass play.
The defensive line was spectacular. The three linemen of Couper Buchanan, Milo Elder and Brody Weir combined for 30 big plays last week. The Crusaders had 12 tackles for losses.
“It’s going to be a question if we can stop their run,” Meeks said.
Optimists may want to take the under 100 on Friday.
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Skyler Branam
Injuries: Skyler Branan is probably going to be out for maybe three or four weeks. He currently has an ulcer cletotis – a hereditary issue that has caused him to lose 20 pounds. He was released from the hospital just minutes before kickoff of the high school game.
Colton Strange, the right guard for the Crusaders, was out last week with a bummed ankle. He will likely be suited up on Friday. “I was playing two sophomores last week who have never played a snap of varsity ball at that position,” Meeks said.
Greer Buchanan is expected to be back in the lineup soon, just not this week.
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Ins and Outs: Crusader Radio will be broadcasting the game this weekend. Leave it to the broadcasters to bring an element of fun to the team. The video below was shot on picture day and now appears on the Crusader Radio Network Facebook page. We are going to repeat it here. Various players were asked who would be the best head coach on the current team and the winner was… Jagger Norris!
