BC Game of the Week: Slaughter faces tough test in debut

**Kevin** Sun Aug 30, 2009 3:20 pm

Original story can be found HERE

BC Game of the Week: Slaughter faces tough test in debut

By Evan Ren (Contact)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Talk about a tough debut.

The Craig Slaughter era opens Friday in Sweetwater against traditional 3A toughie Burkburnett in a Big Country Game of the Week that may resemble a rugby scrum.

This pair hooked up for one of the area’s best Zero Week games a year ago, with the Bulldogs earning a 10-6 win at home.

Both clubs were hit hard by graduation. But with Sweetwater running Slaughter’s run-oriented I-formation and Burkburnett lining up in the wing-T, another trench war can be expected.

A big key here will be if Sweetwater quickly can adapt to the new system installed by Slaughter, which will include a more-open passing game than the Mustangs have seen in some time.

Having abandoned the wishbone offense of former coach Kent Jackson, Sweetwater has had little need to focus on an aerial element in the past. With Slaughter’s arrival, however, the Mustangs will try to gradually develop a passing attack to complement its ground game.

How well the Mustangs adapt to it will play a huge role in how far they go in 2009.

Pick: Sweetwater by 3