The Cougars prepare for a tough game against Olathe Northwest this week.

The 1-4 Cougars will face a tough 4-1 Olathe Northwest team this Friday night. The Cougar defense will have to step it up in order to contain the Ravens ground game and an offense that has put up more than 30 points in three of their five games. Also, there’s a dual threat quarterback in Jack Hatzfeld who can beat even the best of defenses with both his arms and legs.

“We definitely have to stop the run,” Head coach Bo Black said. “They have two very good running backs. They’re going to throw it 40 percent of the time but what they really want to do is keep you honest with the pass and run the ball. The most important part for us is to stop the run.”

The team has been working on many things this week in practice in order to get their season back on track.

“For the last month we have been practicing on all aspects of the game, getting better and focusing on little things,” Black said. “Our kids are doing a really good job with getting better.”

In order for the team to win this week, they must be able to control the Olathe Northwest offense which is 4-0 when scoring 20 or more points. Also, their offense must get back on track as they have been put in check the last two games against Olathe East and Lawrence, only scoring 20 points combined in the two games.

“We just need to play an all around great football game, put everything together and limit the mistakes,”Quarterback Ron Kopp said. We are ready for a fun Friday night.”

It will be the homecoming game, which always adds more emotion and passion to the game for both fans and players.

“It adds more attitude to the game, more intensity,” lineman Cole Johnson said. “Plus you don’t want to get your butt kicked in front of your homecoming date.”