Tigers and Cardinals victorious in Friday night action

By Chris Johnson

Reporter

BYRON – The Byron Tigers improved to 3-1 on the season following a 51-0 win over the Rock Falls Rockets.

There was not just one player carrying the load for Byron on Friday night, Sept. 18, it was a team effort.

Even under a running clock late, the benefits from a game such as the one Byron wrapped up on Friday, included the opportunity to use a lot of the offense and to develop other aspects of the game, according to Head Coach Jeff Boyer.

“We have really had a balanced attack the last few weeks. Against Rock Falls, the most carries any kid had was eight and that was the same as last week, maybe it was six last week. The kids are coming into each week with the right attitude and ready to play. We’re really happy with spreading it around and working on other parts of our offense.”

There were no surprises on Friday night. The Tigers knew what they would be getting into. Even though, Boyer said, there wasn’t a lot of time to take a look at game film, based on how the Rockets had competed in each of their contests this season, it was going to be a challenge. Byron was just able to control the tempo and flow of the game and work their game plan, according to the Tigers Head Coach.

“This was absolutely a “must-win” game for us. That’s what it’s been for us the past three weeks. We weren’t surprised by what Rock Falls wanted to do last night, we knew they were a much improved team and we knew their kids were playing harder.”

Around the area, concerns of weather-related delays surfaced, but not for Byron, as they were able to feature a normal schedule on Friday night, Boyer said.

“I know there was some talk about the weather, leading up to the game, but we had a normal start time. At about halftime of the sophomore game there was a lightning delay and at the end of the game, we literally had just walked off the field, when more came.”

Up next it’s the Stillman Valley Cardinals and a team that isn’t surprising anyone with how they’ve turned their season around.

Following a week one loss to the Harvard Hornets, 34-26 and a forfeit loss in week two, due to the tragedy and loss of life of a Stillman Valley student, the Cardinals have won two straight, knocking off Winnebago and Mendota in consecutive weeks, scoring 34 points against the Indians and 39 against the Trojans.

The Stillman Valley defense is also tightening up, according to Boyer, having allowed 12 points against Winnebago, they nearly cut that in half on Friday night, Sept. 18, as they gave up seven to the Trojans.

It was a slow start, according to Boyer, for Stillman. But they are still one of the teams to beat. They know how to win.

“In Stillman, with Coach Lalor, they are turning things around. They are playing a whole lot better than they did in week one. It doesn’t surprise me one bit that they are playing better. This is a great game coming up on Friday night. It’s a long-standing rival. The communities get up for it. It should be a great game.”

Boyer said he knows his Tigers have to be ready to play. Distractions have to be avoided. Facing Stillman is challenging and his Tigers are ready for that. It won’t be hard to get the adrenalin pumping.

“Everyone looks forward to this game. It’s a big rivalry game. The kids are aware of that. The communities are excited about this game. We have to go in with the attitude that it is just one more game and one we need to be ready to play in.”

Following this Friday night’s game, Stillman Valley hosts Rock Falls, in a game that the Cardinals should be heavily favored.

The following week, Stillman Valley will play at Dixon. The Oct. 9 game could be one in which position within the Big Northern West Conference becomes much clearer.

Following the showdown in Dixon, the Cardinals host the Rockford Lutheran Crusaders in week eight.

Lutheran is expected to be setting up for a long journey into the Class 4A State Tournament after the regular season concludes on Oct. 23.

The Cardinals could find themselves battling in Oregon for a possible home game in the opening round of the Class 3A tournament, when the post-season emerges on Oct. 30.

Mathematical indicators would favor the victor of the week nine game against the Hawks as a major player in determining the possibilities of home field advantage in week one of the playoffs.

Payton Janssen looks for a receiver during the first quarter of Byron’s Homecoming game Friday, Sep. 18. The Tigers beat Rock Falls 51-0.