Wyandotte hadn't played a game in nearly two years, and it showed in some ways last week in a season-opening loss at Hogan Prep.
The Bulldogs couldn't sustain much success on offense and struggled to run the ball. Offensive line play lacked cohesion, head coach R.J. Premis said, but the 20-7 setback to the Rams had its moments. Defensively, the Bulldogs gave up just 76 total yards, which landed them as the top-rated defensive team in Kansas 6A after one week.
Wyandotte will try to reverse course on Friday as they host a Ruskin squad just as hungry for a victory. The tilt at Wyandotte is PrepKC's Dipasquale-Moore Law Metro Matchup of the Week.
"We are simply grateful to play a full competitive game last week," Premis said. "Hogan Prep was a well-coached team. Man did we need our jamboree to iron out some kinks on offense. We have responded decently this week; the challenge lies with getting cohesion on the offensive side of the ball."
Wyandotte will be tested by Ruskin's skill players. Pressuring the quarterback and holding an opponent to under 100 yards in consecutive weeks will be tough. But establishing a run game would only help a solid defensive unit keep the contest close.
"We need our o-line and position players to step up this week and get these Dogs in the W column," Premis said.
Ruskin was thumped by Belton last week in its first game of the season. The Golden Eagles were forced to cancel its Week 1 game in Missouri due to COVID-19 protocols and quarantine.
Ruskin's layoff wasn't as extensive as the down Wyandotte faced, but the rust and first-game jitters were evident in the 51-14 loss against the Pirates, who are 10-2 in their last 12 games.
"I can think of better ways to start the season than against Belton," Ruskin head coach William Perkins said. "We didn't get to play in a jamboree or our first game. That was trying for us."
The Golden Eagles won just two games last season. The road to improvement has been laid. The roster count is up to 60, Perkins said, and continued development is necessary to obtain success on Friday nights. The next step is on the road against a Wyandotte team itching for its first win since 2019.
"We have to clean some things up," Perkins said. "Fixing the little things will help us in a big way."
