By George Starks |
BRADFORD- The last time Bradford won a postseason was in 1982.
It was 2012, under head coach Curtis Enis, Bradford went to the post season only to lose at Marion Local.
Now the Railroaders will put their hopes to break that trend against another MAC team in Minster.
“It didn’t surprise me the ended up with Minister ‘” said Bradford coach Nick Bandstra. “We have to go into this game with our swords swinging. We have to go all in on the attack. We have to hit them with everything including the kitchen sink and then some. This is a MAC team and it won’t be easy. We just have to be ready against a team that puts 50 players on the field where we have only 30. This team is beatable and we need to be at our best.”
When Bradford went to Marion Local in `12, it was a game that was never close.
“Marion Local is another animal,” said Bandstra “In the MAC, you have Marion Local then you have everyone else.”
With Bradford coming off a big victory over Arcanum and the Wildcats dealing with a loss at Versailles.
“We’re coming off a big win but I’m not too sure that really plays into our favors. They are a good football team and everyone knows the MAC is a gauntlet. I don’t know if the win and their loss works in our favor but it gives our kids some momentum.”
The Roaders are trying to mimic them as much as possible in a effort to get ready for the Wildcats.
“We’ve been watching a lot of film on them and we are trying to figure out the best way to defend them,” Bandstra admitted. “We know this is not going to be easy but we have to pull out all the stops and be ready.”
Win or lose, the Roaders will look to gain a measure of respect.
“If we can pull off the upset Friday, that would speak volumes for this program and our community, ” Bandstra quipped. “I think it will bring out more kids to play next year. We do some things that’s unorthodox as it is so I this we might have a few tricks up our sleeves.”
Coming in with a 5-4 mark, it will go down as a banner year for Bradford.
CNO file photo by George Starks: Bradford will head into its opening round playoff game with Minister Friday on the road.