Thunderbirds working to "get a grip' on Indians' offense

KINGDOM CITY - The North Callaway Thunderbirds' defense is trying to minimize the guesswork when it comes to deconstructing Van-Far's voluminous offensive sets and the Indians' quarterback tandem.

Armed with a four-game winning streak, surging North Callaway comes home tonight for an Eastern Missouri Conference clash with Van-Far (kickoff at 7). The Thunderbirds (4-2, 3-0 EMO) breezed to a 55-21 conference dismantling at Wright City last week, while the Indians (2-4, 1-2) suffered a 42-14 EMO setback at Montgomery County.

North Callaway head coach Mike Emmons explained that the Thunderbirds' defensive task tonight will be to quickly recognize Van-Far's shifting offensive schemes.

"There are just tons and tons of formations, and different plays," Emmons said Tuesday morning. "It's one of those (situations) where it's really hard to get a grip on one thing because they just do so many different things.

"It's a tough prep because you just can't settle in and say, "This is the main thing they do.'"

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.