HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: HORSEHEADS HITS THE ROAD FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR AS THEY TRAVEL TO ITHACA (2022-09-23)

By Brian Fees
Southern Tier Sports Report
After three straight games at home, it’s time to hit the road for the Horseheads Blue Raiders as they head to Ithaca.

“I think it actually may be a good thing,” Horseheads coach Kevin Hillman said of going on the road. “Sometimes with all that goes on with a home contest it will be nice just to get on a bus, show up and play some football.”

The Blue Raiders are 1-2 to start the year, but both of those losses are to sectional champs from a year ago — Cicero North Syracuse and last week Union-Endicott.

“I think we’ve had a pretty good week of practice,” Hillman said. “I think the kids are refocused from last weeks’ game.

“I think we learned that we need to be a more physical team, and we need to get better fundamentally if we want any chance to compete for a sectional title.”

While Ithaca is 1-2, Horseheads coach Kevin Hillman knows they are getting better.

“Ithaca is a young tea that I think you’ll see get better week by week,” he said. “You can already see improvements from their first game to their second.”

For Horseheads on offense one of the big keys is limiting mistakes.

“Keys to offense this week I think will be establishing a good rhythm early,” Hillman said. “Also, I’d like to see us incorporate the passing game a little more to keep the defense off balance. Also, don’t turn the ball over. That has been a real problem for us this year that we need to get better at.”

Defensively the Blue Raiders know they just have to play fundamental football.

“Defensively just play fundamentally sound football and we’ll be okay,” Hillman said.
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STSR FILE PHOTO