Facing their first losing streak of the season, the Mexico Bulldogs would like nothing better to make sure it is a short one as they complete a three-game set of road games today with a non-conference visit to Warrenton.
Playing state-ranked Moberly close until midway through the final period, the Bulldogs could take some measure of pride in a 28-7 loss 2 weeks ago, but last week’s 22-0 setback at the hands of previously winless Marshall was a different story.
Among the improvements Mexico High School coach Devin Brown would like to see his squad make this weekend is an increase in energy and enthusiasm. He knows, halfway through the schedule, the Bulldogs can’t afford to take anything for granted.
“We’ve had a good week of practice so far,” he said Thursday. “We’ve been preaching energy and enthusiasm, and that’s important. We keep telling them that enthusiasm breeds confidence.”
While Mexico brings a 2-3 varsity record into the contest, Warrenton stands at 1-4 after bowing 24-20 at Fort Zumwalt North in Week 5. That was the fourth consecutive defeat for the Warriors, who opened the season by beating Affton 19-15, then suffered 39-7, 12-0 and 21-17 losses.
Nick Reese (137 yards) and A.J. Wallace (78) accounted for the bulk of the Warriors’ 255 yards rushing against FZN. Wallace opened the scoring with a 7-yard run in the first quarter, Reese scored from 15 yards out in the second and John Fanger caught a 16-yard pass from Scott Lathrop to Warrenton’s touchdown parade.
Lathrop completed 11 of 23 passes for 148 yards, but was intercepted 4 times. The Warriors are averaging 12.6 points for and 22.2 points against, compared to 13.8 for and 19.0 against for Mexico.
“Warrenton is kind of in the same boat as we are when you look at the records,” the MHS coach observed. “Both teams will be looking to get better soon.”
For the third week in a row, Mexico will be a homecoming guest. The Bulldogs are in good physical shape for the most part with Kurt Loyd (ankle) and Nathan Hagedorn (knee) expected to play.
Aside from putting more points on the scoreboard than it allows, what would Brown like to see Mexico accomplish this week?
“We’ve got to move the ball better,  and that involves everybody doing their jobs right. Our offense needs to be more balanced too, and maybe I need to open things up a little in the play-calling.
“Defensively, we’ve got to tackle; we’ve gotten away from that and forgotten that football is a fundamental game of blocking and tackling,” he added. “And we’ve got to improve our special teams play.”
After the Week 6 trip, the Bulldogs will play 3 of their last 4 regular-season games at home, starting with an Oct. 10 homecoming date with NCMC rival Hannibal. The Pirates are home tonight to state-ranked Moberly in a matchup of NCMC leders, while Marshall is at Fulton and Kirksville at Boonville in other league pairings.