Erik Boal
Marty Konrad's message to his Flintridge Prep football players at
Friday's practice was a simple one.
"You don't get many chances in life at redemption," said the
third-year coach about the Rebels' CIF Southern Section Division
XIII opening-round playoff contest against Temecula Linfield
Christian at 7 tonight at Duarte High.
Following last year's 28-7 quarterfinal setback to the Lions
(6-4), many of the Flintridge Prep players didn't know if they'd ever
get a shot to redeem themselves following what Konrad called his
squad's "worst game of the year."
But the third-seeded Rebels (8-1) -- coming off their best
regular-season effort since the 1971 season -- will get that
long-awaited chance against the Big Sky League runner-up.
"If they can control what they can control, then they'll be all
right," said Konrad, whose squad -- which committed four turnovers in
last year's loss -- took second behind top-seed Pasadena Poly in the
Prep League.
"I think we're more diverse this year, and hopefully we'll be able
to score more points.
"But our biggest concern is stopping the run. They're doing the
same things as last year, so it's just a matter of [our guys]
getting it done."
Rebel senior tailback T.C. Scotton gained 137 yards in 17 carries
and scored Flintridge Prep's lone touchdown last season.
"T.C. Scotton is a nightmare, and we've got our hands full," Lion
Coach Chris Fore said.
"We're nowhere near the same team we were last year."
Said Konrad: "We just need to take care of the ball."
