Coyotes look to slow down Red River

Something can be said of playing at home in front of the hometown crowd.

The Williston Coyotes return to Cutting Field for the first time in three weeks with a game tonight against the Grand Forks Red River Roughriders, with the kick set for 7 p.m.

"They like to run the football," said Williston football coach Todd Matthews of tonight's opponent. "They run a wing set."

The Roughriders (2-1) opened the season with wins over Fargo Shanley and Mandan by a combined score of 63-19. Grand Forks Red River's lone loss of the season came last week at Minot, 28-7.

The Roughriders have plenty of speed at the skilled positions. Four of the Grand Forks Red River players were state champions in the 4x100-meter relay at the state track meet last spring.

"It's always a big concern," Matthews said of the speed factor. "When you get worried about which way their speedsters are going, they hand it off up the middle to their fullback."

Matthews says the key to stopping the Roughriders' quickness is simply beating them to the punch.

"We've got to be aggressive and get into the backfield before they can get their speed going," the Williston coach said.

In addition to stopping the Roughriders' speed, there are other keys to tonight's game for Williston.

"We've got to control the football," Matthews said. "We've to make sure we play four quarters of football and make every play count."

In the aftermath of last week's 29-13 loss to Jamestown, Matthews also says his team needs to pick up its play in the trenches.

"We've got to get more aggressive up front," he said.

After tonight, Williston will host Century next week t Cutting Field.