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Snyder’s Talon Lee (l-r), Nathan Beaver and Bryce Ford wait for thr snap during Snyder’s 21-8 win over Lamesa on Nov. 1. The Tigers are preparing for a crucial game against the Pecos Eagles at Tiger Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Friday.
The Snyder Tigers have adopted a playoff mindset for Fridays’ game against Pecos at 7 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.
The game is being treated as a must-win by the Snyder coaches and players.
“We have scaled it, practice wise, as if it was a playoff game,” Snyder head coach Wes Wood said. “It’s kind of already jumped into a do-or-die situation. We are approaching it like it is playoff time already.”
A win secures a second place finish for the second time in two years for the Tigers, but a loss puts the Tigers’ future into fates’ hands.
According to Wood, a Snyder loss and a Sweetwater win over Monahans would put the Tigers in third place, but a Monahans win would eliminate them from postseason play and give them a fifth place finish.
Luckily for the Tigers, two straight district wins have them feeling pretty good heading into this week’s crucial game.
“After the (last) game, it felt like our kids have a little bit different attitude as far as expecting to win,” Wood said. “I think the kids are expecting to win and that is what you want from your kids. Instead of thinking with doubt and questions, they are stepping on the field with confidence and an aggressive approach. I would definitely say they are learning how to win.”
The Eagles’ game plan should feature the running game, as it has all season. Running back Armando Granado handles the majority of the carries and runs behind an experienced offensive line led by Anthony Armendariz, Gary Salcido and Everett McGhee. Quarterback Abel Vasquez is also a leader on defense for the Eagles, where he starts at linebacker.
“I think Pecos is very solid. I am really impressed with them,” Wood said. “They are really big and have some thick boys. I think our strength is that we play good up front. In general, I think we are more stout against the run. They are going to run the ball and it is going to be nasty and vicious. I think they are bigger and stronger, but we are more relentless and vicious down there. I’ll go to battle with my kids for sure.”
The Tigers also have a potent running game. Snyder senior Greg Williams enters the game just 10 yards away from a 1,000-yard season. Wood is hoping to feature Williams, while also opening it up on the edges with the Tigers’ passing attack.
“They are going to try to shut Greg down,” he said. “Greg has been great for us all year. The run game kind of sets the tone for us, so we are going to have to try and rely on that a little bit, but we also like our chances schematically with some other areas that they tend to leave open.”