The Alexander Spartans’ first five games of the season have been bunnies, but the conference schedule might present a different animal.
The Spartans take on the first leg of their Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division schedule tonight as they face struggling Vinton County (1-4). Alexander coach, Sean Arno believes there are changes to preparation, but the mentality is the same.
“Yes and no,” he said about differences leading up to conference play. “No, in that you prepare exactly the same as you do for any game. You look at what people do and what they don’t do, and yes, because it’s league and your goal from the beginning of the year should be to come out and play well in your league.
”While Arno constantly preaches the message of focusing on the next opponent, consistent winning does not always mean the team is improving.
“Week to week, I am not always sure that you do get better,” he said. “Sometimes you survive and get a win, you play okay, and that needs to be addressed. Why did you not play as good as you could’ve?”
Maximizing potential might prove to be critical the next several weeks. The Spartans will face teams with a combined 13-2 record in the three games after facing Vinton County.
This is the second time Alexander has garnered a 5-0 start in three years, but development will be key in getting a shot at the TVC-Ohio title.
“There’s still room for improvement moving into league play,” Arno said. “The focus becomes the opponents that we know very well. We know each opponent down to each player and what each kid does.”
With only a one win on the year and three in the previous two seasons, Vinton County’s struggles could be the perfect opportunity for Alexander to have a successful TVC-Ohio open and move to 6-0 for the first time in recent memory. Arno believes concentration will be key and has been a part of the team’s preparation all season.
“The kids have done a pretty good job about being focused,” he said “We’re trying to get better each week focusing on what we can do to get better.”
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Tri-Valley Conference football
Week Six
Vinton County at Alexander
Wellston at Nelsonville-York
Meigs at Athens
Trimble at Waterford
