Going along as planned

By STEVE RUMAN

sports@vindy.com

GIRARD

Girard High coach Pat Pearson admits that like other coaches, he is a creature of habit.

In a perfect world, Pearson’s players would be attending school every day this week, there would be after-school practice each day, and that would be followed by a short trip to Arrowhead Stadium and a home game on Friday night.

“No doubt, coaches love to stay with a routine,” Pearson said. “Whether it’s superstitions or just a comfort zone, it’s much easier to plan out your week when you follow the same schedule.”

By all accounts, Girard’s playoff schedule has been anything but routine.

Girard is preparing for its fourth-round playoff game, this one a Division IV state semifinal contest against Licking Valley. The Indians (12-1) and Panthers (10-3) play Saturday at Crater Stadium in Dover.

Like most teams in Division IV, playing post-season games on Saturdays meant an adjustment in practice schedules for Girard. Prior to the start of this year’s tournament run, the Indians had played just one Saturday game since 2016.

“We changed up our whole practice schedule, starting with the coaches watching films on Sunday afternoon,” Pearson said. “We have that extra day at the end of the week, so now we’re doing a walk-through on Thursday, and Friday we’re back in pads working up a sweat. It’s all together different than when you’re preparing for a regular season Friday night game.”

Girard’s post-season schedule was also thrown off by a pair of site changes. Its first-round game against Youngstown East was originally slated to be played at Rayen Stadium. Poor field conditions forced the game to be moved to Youngstown State University, though that contest was moved days in advance.

In round two, Girard was scheduled to play Perry at Edgewood High School in Ashtabula. A snowstorm forced the game to be moved to Niles’ Bo Rein Stadium. The change of venue occurred less than six hours prior to kickoff.

“That was pretty unique,” Pearson said. “We were already gathered at the school ready to head to Ashtabula when we got the call. We ended up having a lot of free time to kill before going to Niles. But this is a really close bunch, we ended up having more time together and everyone was cool with the situation.”

This week’s schedule has been greatly altered. Because of Thanksgiving, Girard students attended school only on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Indians practiced from 10 a.m. until noon. Today, the team is practicing from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. That will be followed by a team Thanksgiving meal.

Pearson explained that the players and coaches gather every Thursday for a team meal. Today will be no different.

“It’s our team family meal, and what better way to spend Thanksgiving than with your extended family,” Pearson said. “This group, we really are one family.”

Girard will face one more change of pace Saturday when it makes the trek Dover.

Girard has played eight games this year away from Arrowhead Stadium. In those eight road games, the Indians have traveled a total of just 126.4 miles, round trip – an average of just 15.8 miles of driving time per game. In their first three playoff games, the Indians never traveled further than 5.4 miles away from home.

On Saturday, the Indians will cover 154.6 miles on their trip to Dover and back home to Girard.

Pearson says the extended travel will not faze the Indians.

“We have 12 four-year lettermen on this team, six three-year lettermen,” Pearson said. “They have been able to stay focused all year long, they don’t let any distractions get in their way.”

“Our routine will again be a little altered just because of the length of the trip, but it’s not going to rattle the players one bit. This is going to give us all a little more time to be together, and to a man I can tell you that everyone will view that as a good thing.”

Pearson then echoed the thoughts shared by all coaches whose teams will be playing this weekend in the 14 state semifinal games.

“We’re in the final four. We’ll play anytime, anywhere. Just tell us when and where, and we’ll be there,” Pearson said.

Saturday’s winner will face either St. Mary’s Memorial or Cincinnati Wyoming next week in Canton in the Division IV state title game.