Published: August 27, 2008 01:34 pm         

Fancher: Playing hard, playing fast are keys

By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



When the Gardendale Rockets take on the Hoover Buccaneers this Friday night, head coach Chris Fancher said the formula for success is simple.

“We need to play hard, play fast and not wonder if we can compete, but go out there with confidence,” Fancher said. “I think we’ll be ready to play, the kids are excited about playing a great team in a great atmosphere.”

Fancher said the Rockets need to eliminate the pre-snap penalties that cost them in their jamboree against Hewitt-Trussville last Friday.

Fancher thinks the mistakes can be credited to first game nerves.

Another area that the Rockets need to play well in, is the kicking game, not allowing the big return and making sure the kickers have plenty of time.

Fancher praised the Rockets defensive effort against Hewitt and thinks they could be a factor this week as well.

“We need to run to the ball, pursue the ball and gang tackle the ball,” he said. “We need to out hit them and play harder than them if we’re going to win.”

Hoover will be playing their first regular season game under new coach Josh Niblett, who left Oxford High to take over the Bucs’ program after Rush Propst resigned last year.