Bobcats want to excel in the open playoff race

BROOKINGS – With two games to go, the Brookings Bobcats enter an open playoff race. The Class 11AA standings are as tight as ever and the Bobcats are looking to build momentum in their final two games, with the first coming with a trip to Douglas on Friday night.

“This season was unique,” ​​Clark said regarding the parity within the class this season. “It’s really like every year where it’s not about the rankings, it’s about who plays the best football before the playoffs and in the playoffs.”

The parity can be summed up for Brookings over the last two weeks. Two weeks ago, the Bobcats earned a home win against Tea Area and were ranked the No. 1 team in the state. Last week, the Bobcats lost at home to Yankton, which dropped them to fourth in the rankings and fourth in the Class AA standings.

Heading into Friday’s game, Yankton (5-2), Watertown (5-2), Spearfish (6-1) and Brookings (5-2) all have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed. Tea Area (4-3) has a chance to secure a home playoff game, while Aberdeen Central (3-4), Huron (3-4) and Pierre (3-4) battle for the final spot in the division.

“It could be a lot of things,” Clark said of the reason the teams were so evenly matched this year. “It’s hard to say, but it was fun. The kids just enjoy playing football and it’s hard to say exactly because every year is different.”

To break the cluster, someone has to stand out. The Bobcats’ process of doing that began earlier this week as they picked up the remnants of their 24-7 loss to the Bucks.

Although the loss was disappointing, Clark believes the factors, such as four turnovers, were within her control.

“Basically what it comes down to is that we can fix a lot of the mistakes we made,” Clark said. “That’s the biggest thing. We’re just working on the basics this week and our main focus has been on all the things we can fix about this game. It was a little breath of fresh air, so to speak.”

If the tape study wasn’t enough to clear the room, a trip to the western part of the state might help. Clark called the trip to Douglas a good opportunity for his team to bond on a trip that begins in the morning in Brookings, heads to Chamberlain for lunch and a hike in the afternoon and a 7 p.m. central time kickoff against the Patriots in Douglas.

While the Bobcats will spend most of the day traveling, Clark believes it will be a fun experience for his team and the coaching staff.

“I think they’re a big team-building thing for us,” Clark said of the upcoming trip. “…We’re trying to make something positive out of everything there, and I think our guys are doing a good job of that.”

As the Bobcats prepare to kick off in Douglas, they will recognize the task ahead. The Patriots have had a tough season and haven’t scored since a loss to Tea Area on Sept. 20, but Clark believes the Patriots will be ready to put in the effort and try to win their first game of the year on Friday night.

“When you have a difficult season, to a certain point you are willing to do whatever it takes to get a win and be successful,” Clark said. “These are the things we’ll see in Douglas on Friday night.”

Whoever the opponent is, the Bobcats know they have to take care of business in the final two weeks. With a matchup against Huron set for next week, the biggest concern is staying focused on their job while knowing there is an opportunity for improvement that could help them stand out in a crowded playoff picture.

“We just need to fix a few things,” Clark said. “Over the next two weeks we’re really getting into the fundamentals and core of who we are and what we’re good at. It’s a good opportunity to do that, but maybe we’ll add a few wrinkles here and there that can help us along the way.”