Balance and depth.
It’s something every coach mentions when talking about the Elk Point-Jefferson Huskies.
And Coach Jacob Terry agrees that it’s his team’s biggest strength.
“On any given night, we have two of the best backs in the state in 11B. We have a great quarterback, we got a good wing in Devon Schmidts who can carry the ball on a counter or sweep. We got good wide receivers, we got good special teams. We got a great kicker in Carson Timmons. And our line, we rotate 9 different guys on the defensive line. I think being able to rotate that number of guys really helps us stay fresh.“
But having that much size and talent doesn’t always equate to wins. The Huskies, however, have a bonus feature that helped drive this team to the championship game:
Mental Fortitude.
“They are awesome kids and we are going to do what it takes to win and if something happens, flush it, move on to the next play and forget it. Do your best next time and off we go.”
Add all those factors together, and the Huskies are now fighting for a state title for the first time in school history.
“Knowing where we came from, and how far we have come as a program is pretty surreal to me. Our kids have worked really really hard and they deserve everything and every bit of the credit they can get out of this.
They are talented, they are hard working, just all around good kids. So it’s been kind of fun to see the community come together, both Elk Point and Jefferson, come together and rally around us.“
However, this first trip to the Dome won’t be any sort of vacation, as the Huskies take on a storied Winner program. The Warriors knocked EP-J out of the playoffs last year in the semifinals, but Coach Terry has confidence that won’t waver his team.
“I think at this point in the year, you just gotta go out and win a football game. I don’t think any of our kids are looking back and going, oh last year, they did this to us and we need to beat them. I think these kids have enough motivation, without having to look back and knowing this is a team, you guys have a goal to win the state championship and this is what you gotta do, it doesn’t matter what happened last year.”
Now, the Huskies will make the 17 mile trip down the road, with the entire community behind backing them.
“It’s been fun to see the community come together, both Elk Point and Jefferson, come together and rally around us.
If there is a light on in this town [on Friday], I’ll be surprised. That’s special to see.”
