Houser Focused On Physicality In Week 5

Ahead of their week five match-up with Pickett County, Livingston Wildcats head coach Matthan Houser said the team has to find their physicality.

The Wildcats started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2019. But after the team suffered back to back district losses getting outscored 90-8, Houser said he adjusted practices to have a game-like environment.

“Players have really responded well, Monday was one of our better practices we’ve had in the couple weeks,” Houser said. “At the end of the day, this is a game we’re playing, they’re supposed to have fun and it’s hard to have fun when you’re losing. But there’s some things we can do during practice periods that can incite a little bit more of a competitive atmosphere.”

Houser said his team was losing the game at the line of scrimmage and that his lineman have to be quicker off the ball. With Pickett County coming into town, Houser said the Wildcats have to focus on themselves more than what the Bobcats will be bringing to Overton County.

“We talk a lot about just being ourselves and competing against ourselves,” Houser said. “And doing the best that we can on each and every play. And, I don’t think we’ve done that these last two weeks necessarily. So, it’s been a huge focus this week to just get back to us and worrying about us. Not worrying about the opponent.”

A worry for the Wildcats going forward will be the quarterback position. After missing all of his sophomore season with a broken collarbone, starting quarterback Adrian Jenkins re-injured his collarbone in last week’s loss to Upperman and will be out six to eight weeks.

Stepping in for Jenkins will be junior Kaden Weitzel, who will transition over from wide receiver to the Wildcats starting quarterback. Weitzel said he is not too nervous ahead of his first start and is confident that he will bring a identity to their offense.

“A lot more conversions on third downs,” Weitzel said. “Hopefully a lot more conversions on third and ten or something like that. Hopefully we can move this ball down this field.”

Kickoff at 7pm this Friday at Livingston Academy.