High School

The Eagle football players confer with their coach on which tactics they will employ to take down their adversaries. (Photo by Rachel Stover)

Eagles prepare for "War on 24" game

By Justin Maryott and Calla Mounkes

October 05, 2005

For Silver Lake High School Senior Running Back Kyle Steele, a win against Rossville would represent one of the most significant events during his senior year. It would mean a victory versus his archrival for four years of high school and pay back for a broken leg suffered in junior high. Steele is not the only senior who holds strong feelings for the Dawgs.

Luke Perry, a senior football player, was adamant that the Eagles must have pristine practices leading up to the controversial game.

Perry said, "To be prepared to play Rossville, we'll have to have a perfect week of practice because perfect practice means perfect games."

Dale Kruger, senior quarterback, said that the outcome of the game is simple.

Kruger said, "The team who will win on Friday will be whoever plays better for four quarters."

The Eagles will have to be mentally prepared for every aspect of their game against Rossville on Oct. 7. (Photo by Liane Smith)

Senior football player Austin Workman commented on how tradition was most important.

Workman said, "The 'War on 24' is an old tradition that's been carried on for generations. Now it's my turn, my senior year versus Rossville. There's nothing more to say than 'It's Rossville.'"

The players have to handle the responsibility of playing hard not just for four quarters, but for a week of practice as well. The coaches have to get their team mentally ready for Friday.

Silver Lake Assistant Coach Loren Ziegler expressed the importance of being mentally prepared.

Ziegler said, "To come up with a win versus those Dawgs, we'll have to not get caught up in the hype. The better team will be mentally ready to go."

Silver Lake Assistant Coach Mark Workman added, "To be prepared mentally to play Friday, we'll just have to work hard."

Last year the Eagles and the Dawgs met twice, with two Eagle victories of 35-7 and 34-26. This year, it looks like the 'War on 24' could be as close as ever.

Silver Lake Assistant Coach Warren Bledsoe said, "Both teams are good with different styles. Rossville wants to throw the ball more while we've shown a strong running game. Both teams have good team speed."

The Eagle players will focus on shutting down specific Dawgs.

Silver Lake Head Coach C.J. Hamilton said, "Seavor Askren and Andrew Foxhoven have been carrying the load offensively lately for the Dawgs."

Senior leadership will play a key role in facing the Dawgs. (Photo by Jenni Holmer)

The Eagle coaches are experiencing a challenge with scouting Rossville since Askren, their quarterback, has been injured, returning only last week and sparking a Rossville victory.

Hamilton said, "I think that they will try to mix run and pass offensively. They will incorporate more plays to involve their quarterback. Defensively, they will try to take away our running game."

The traditional "War on 24" will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Rossville High School football field.