North Callaway keeping normal routine going into homecoming game vs Van-Far

North Callaway didn't play a game last week after its scheduled opponent Holden reported a COVID-19 presence in its locker room and had to quarantine.

Thunderbirds head coach Travis Blevins said, while this has been a new experience for him as a coach, the team can't allow this to throw them off a normal routine heading into its homecoming game tonight against Van-Far.

Blevins said North Callaway hasn't focused on anything specific but have made sure to go through its normal work during practice this week and last week. The fact there wasn't a game for them didn't alter the Thunderbirds' plans that much, he said. With that being said, last Friday still felt different to Blevins - even though the Thunderbirds did do some scrimmaging and simulated game situations - as he is excited to be back on the sidelines as a coach rather removed from them as a spectator.

"It was pretty brutal to go watch games Friday night versus coaching one, that's for dang sure," Blevins said. "We tried to stay as normal as possible. We then got the extra day on Friday to get some more work in."

Van-Far is an opponent that has faced North Callaway for years as a rival in the Eastern Missouri Conference. North Callaway has been the victor over the prior 10 meetings, allowing the Indians to score more than 20 only once and shutting them out four times, with last year's meeting ending in a 45-0 score.

The Indians have had a rough season through three games this season as well, allowing 54 points per game and just getting beat up by undefeated conference opponents Bowling Green, 60-6 loss, and Mark Twain, 54-14 loss last week. Blevins said the whole conference is physical, and Van-Far has to be included as well.

The Indians are led by first-year head coach and defensive coordinator during the previous two seasons, Joe Drebes, who is looking to rebuild with a philosophy of accountability, attendance and attitude. Blevins said the Indians defense can still be "in your face" and physical so North Callaway needs to treat this game tonight as if Van-Far is undefeated to squash any redemption the Indians want for prior failures.

"They play a nice stingy defense. They get after you pretty well," Blevins said. "Mark Twain and Bowling Green are two of the top programs in our conference so it's been a rough beginning for them, but they're young, athletic and dangerous."

The Thunderbirds defense, on the other hand, needs to focus on stopping the run, Blevins said, as Van-Far running back Brandon Eoff is someone who can be physical yet nimble. The rest of their backfield, Bryson Lay and Hunter Scrogin, can factor into this attack as well but can also be receivers who can snag the ball thrown up high.

Tonight is an important night for North Callaway with it being homecoming, so Blevins said he expects to have another great crowd tonight like there was two weeks ago for the Callaway Cup game against South Callaway. The Thunderbirds will looking to bring its fans another win tonight.