There are high expectations over in Glasgow this season, as the Scotties are looking to improve upon 2019’s first-round exit in the Class B football playoffs.
Glasgow steamrolled Shepherd in Week 1 in a matchup of 2019 playoff teams, but it was done while short-handed. Lack of practices due to COVID-19 testing and quarantine left the Scotties without eight players to open the season.
“All eight of them are starters, so it’ll be good. All of them are seniors, so next week we’ll be a way different team, I feel like,” Glasgow senior Loden Idler said.
“Oh, they’re going to have to earn their spots back. Like I was talking about in the huddle back there, the kids have to earn their spots back," Glasgow head coach Patrick Barnett said. "Some of the younger guys stepped up. It’s going to be a battle this week in practice. I’ll be surprised if all of them get their spots back.”
Idler’s one of the guys who won’t have to earn his spot back. He was an all-conference wide receiver last year, but the senior is taking the snaps at quarterback in 2020. He adds a different dynamic at the quarterback position to the Glasgow offense, as well as shouldering a leadership role.
“He’s a lot faster than the guy last year, but he’s got to work on his arm a little more. Alec (Boland) was a good quarterback, but (Idler) is stepping up in that role. We expected if (Boland) went down last year that (Idler) would be able to do it just as well," Barnett said. "He just comes to practice every day and works really hard. Kids look up to him and he’s just a hard worker.”
Idler made his presence felt on the ground against Shepherd as part of a multi-pronged power rushing attack for the Scotties. As it wears on the defense, Glasgow’s stable of talented runners get stronger.
“We love our power running game. If I had a choice, we wouldn’t pass. We just love our power running game. Our offensive coordinator Josh McCrossin does a great job, we’d just rather run the ball the whole time," Barnett said.
Expect the Scotties to continue jamming it down their opponents' throats, especially as they welcome those eight seniors back.
Glasgow will host Conrad on Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Scotties' home opener.
