ADM had its chances to knock off the rival Perry Bluejays on the road last Friday night, but ultimately the Tigers failed to cash in on their multiple opportunities, and what resulted was a 13-6 defeat.

With the loss, ADM is now on its first losing streak of the season having dropped two in-a-row.  Defensive coordinator Bric Nelson called Friday’s loss disheartening.

“Being that we finally had a game within the county and we weren’t driving two hours somewhere, with as many times as we see them not only in football but other sports as well, it’s one of those games that your kids take personally.  I don’t know if you call it quite as much of a rivalry game as the people up north want to call it, but it’s disappointing… we’ve got a new week now and it’s time to stay positive.”

ADM’s coaches and players will look to put the Perry loss behind them quickly this week as they’ve got to find a way to beat a 5th-ranked Harlan team that has already clinched the District 1 title.

To beat the talented Cyclones, Nelson says it’s going to take a game where the Tigers’ offense and defense both play to their potential on the same night.  Unfortunately, that has not happened through the first eight games this season.

“I spoke to Coach Stanley after the game (against Perry), and I had to kind of laugh about it because it’s like, ‘when are we going to have both sides show up to play and be on the same page’.  If it’s a week where offense is scoring, then the defense is giving up a lot, or the defense shuts them down and the offense isn’t scoring.  Friday night’s got to be that game when it all just happens–it’s a do or die.  We said last week, ‘you win or you go home’.  We’re at a point now where we could very well be going home.”

ADM is in a battle with Creston, Lewis Central and Glenwood for the final three playoff spots in District 1.  The Tigers’ fate is in their own hands however–win Friday, and they’re in.