The ADM football team will look to start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2012 when they play host to the Ballard Bombers in the 2015 hopeopener at 7:30 p.m. Friday night in Adel.
Tigers head coach Mike Whisner said he values the challenges Ballard brings as a fast, physical football team whose offense is predicated on the run game.
“Ballard’s a conference school and we look forward to playing them in the many sports, and we’re fortunate in the non-district game to play them,” Whisner said. “This is an important game for us. It’s one for momentum going into the district [portion of the schedule], and so we’re working hard to be prepared for them. Ballard, I believe, won their district last year and is very strong.
“They lost a few seniors, but gosh, they have a lot of speed and they’re physical and very aggressive. We have to be ready for them, and this will be a great test for us before going into district.”
ADM is also looking for some revenge, having been blown out by the Bombers, 42-14, in week 2 last season in Huxley.
Much like the Tigers, Ballard lost a lot of starters from last year’s team on both sides of the ball due to graduation. For that and other reasons, Bombers head coach Al Christian said he doesn’t expect a similar result this season.
“Of course I hope so, but I don’t see that happening at all. I’m hoping for a slugfest; I’m hoping that it’s tight in the fourth quarter like our Boone game [last week], with a chance to win,” Christian said. “They’re well coached — Mike does a great job. His offensive and defensive assistants are always doing a good job and have those guys ready to play.
“It’s going to be tough down there; it’s going to be hot, humid. Attrition — we don’t start anybody both ways — so hopefully we can take advantage of that in the fourth quarter, but I see it as an exciting game, and a big play here or there could really make a difference.”
ADM and Ballard kickoff at 7:30 p.m. from Tiger Stadium. You can listen to the game live on K107 and raccoonvalleyradio.com, with our pregame coverage beginning at 7 p.m.