Saginaw Boswell football peaking at the right time

By Greg Bogomol

Special to the Star-Telegram

Saginaw Boswell coach John Abendschan's worries last week of a letdown after a 20-point win against rival Saginaw on Nov. 2 were quickly put to rest. The Pioneers scored 35 first-quarter points against Chisholm Trail, and coasted to a 62-14 win.

"More than anything with the Saginaw game, no matter if you win or lose, it's always Tuesday or Wednesday before you come back to earth," Abendschan said. "You have to come back and get out of the clouds and I was extremely proud of the way the kids responded and came out and started this week in a game that's going to become a big rivalry as well."

Boswell (82-) has bounced back from a two-game losing streak to Keller Central and Birdville -- both playoff teams -- to win seven straight entering Thursday's Class 4A Region I Division II bi-district game against Lake Dallas (6-4) at Justin's Northwest ISD Stadium.

"We dropped two in a row early and we rebounded," Abendschan said. "We knew we had to fix things and the kids did it. They knew we had a job to do and went out and did what they needed to the past few weeks. They know when the game is over it's over and we have to move on."

A Boswell victory on Thursday will put them into the area round for the fourth straight season, but getting to the third round is something that hasn't happened since 2001.

"We've been more of a family this year and the offense and defense has done a better job working together," quarterback Zach Files said. "I feel like we can make it further than some of the other teams have, they've had good talent, but I think this group has more chemistry."

Files, has thrown for 1,840 yards and 26 touchdowns, will be a key in his teams hopes to play well into the post season.

"This year has definitely been easier reading the defenses and trusting the guys around me that have come up with me," Files said. "Our goal is to be able to go through Thanksgiving. That's something we started talking about all during the offseason. I definitely believe we can go a ways if we believe in ourselves."

The Falcons present a defense unlike anything the Pioneers have seen all season.

"Lake Dallas defense has got them where they are today," Abendschan said. "They have a good secondary, but that's only one part of the game. It's going to come down to special teams and if we can handle their pass rush as well. I don't know if they've seen an offense like ours or we've seen a defense like ours so it's going to be a great test for the kids to have."

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