Written by Janet Orgain
During Homecoming, fans enjoy tailgating, grilling out, fellowshipping, music and the crowning of the Homecoming queen. This year, the game day matchup against Arkansas Tech will also be at the height of Homecoming festivities on Saturday at 2 p.m.Head football coach Ronnie Huckeba said he expects the game to be a tough challenge for the Bisons.”[Arkansas Tech] has one of the strongest programs in our conference,” Huckeba said. “They are the only team in Arkansas that has been to the national playoffs since we’ve been in the Gulf South Conference.”However, Arkansas Tech is not the only team with a strong program. Huckeba and players said they have been challenged every Saturday and every game has been filled with excitement.”This year in the GSC everybody has a strong program; it’s a dog fight each week,” Huckeba said. “There is never a week where you say, ‘Okay, we can relax a little bit this week.’ You have to come out and play your best. If you play average, then there is a really good chance that you’ll get beat.”Senior defensive lineman Andrew Jackson said he expects Arkansas Tech to test the Bisons both offensively and defensively.”Tech has always been a really big, fast team,” Jackson said. “Our offense will have to be very efficient to move the ball on those guys.”Senior quarterback Josh Powell agreed that although Tech’s defense will be tough, the offense is prepared.”Offensively we prepare for the worst every week,” Powell said. “We look at multiple defensive fronts and coverages every day so that when it comes game day we are not surprise by anything.”Although every game of the season counts, players and coaches said a special emphasis is placed on the Homecoming game because of the enormous support given by former students and players.”There is nothing better than playing for a full stadium,” Powell said. “I think everyone on our team would agree that when the crowd is big and loud we feed off it. Nothing beats a loud band and a rowdy crowd.”Not only will current students and alumni cheer on the team on Saturday, but so will former Bison football players.”Our guys are going to play hard; they’ve played hard all year long,” Huckeba said. “The biggest thing that changes is that they know all the old Bison football players will be back in the stands watching them to see how this year’s edition of the team is playing. It will pump them up to play their best.”After their matchup against Arkansas Tech, the Bisons will play their last game of the regular season at home against University of Northern Alabama Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
