By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@gmail.com

The Nocona High School football team spent its bye week getting a crash course on Henrietta.
The course deals with finding ways to stop Riley Watson, the Bearcats’ dangerous quarterback who guided the team to a recent 30-26 victory over Bowie.
“The bye is right where we want it, before district,” Nocona head coach Brad Keck said. “It gave us a chance to get healed up.”
Unlike last year, Nocona has remained healthy, and the full compliment of players should be available as the Indians begin District 2-3A-II play at Henrietta at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Nocona has been working on the fundamentals and making sure the defense makes the right reads, especially when dealing with Watson.
“Henrietta is a good football team and the kids are excited about the game,” Keck said.
Henrietta runs a spread offense and plenty of Bearcats will get touches with the ball. Keck said it all begins with stopping Watson.
“We have to contain him because he makes their whole offense click,” Keck said.
Nocona also will contend with a Henrietta defense that enjoys stunting and blitzing. The Indian offensive line has been working on blitz pick-up while running Henrietta’s scout team. Read more, including other game previews and summaries, in the mid-week Bowie News.

Nocona’s Jeremy James scampers to the outside on a run during the Indians’ game at Ponder from Sept. 11. The team had two weeks to prepare for Friday’s game at Henrietta. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (Courtesy photo by Todd Peterson/Nocona Independent School District)