Fall Preview: Low numbers has Van Buren turning to power game

As they currently ride and eight game losing streak and deal with the loss of several talented seniors from last year?s 1-8 squad, first year head coach Randy Cochran says he is only concerned with the players on his practice field right now.

?Coming in, we have a lot of guys at Van Buren not going out that should be out, but the only thing that?s going to change that is winning. So right now, I?m only focused on the kids that are out,? he said. ?We?ll coach them up and do the best we can.?

Cochran is no stranger to the Warrior sideline however after serving as an assistant coach under previous head coach Chuck Banks. Banks moved on to fill the athletic director post at Van Buren and left a spot open for Cochran to put his own stamp on the program.

The attitude that Cochran hopes to come every week with is that of a hard-nosed football team.

?Every kid that I have has a good attitude and wants to be here ? those are the kids that I want to go to war with every Friday,? Cochran said.

The Warriors? all-purpose slasher Dennis Halverson has been lost to graduation ? along with his 123 yards per game from 2008 ? but Cochran is ready to let some other running backs pound away in 2009. Led by big Jordon Hervey on the offensive line, Kelby McClaran figures to receive a majority of the handoffs, which will fit right into the offensive plan.

?When we first started camp, I said I didn?t care if we didn?t have one play over 10 yards all year,? said Cochran. ?All I ask for is 3.5 yards every play and that?s what this offense is going to be set up to do. 3.5 yards every time and constant pounding.?

Senior Spencer Watson will take over at quarterback for the Warriors to give McClaran, who will also spend some time at lineback, some company in the backfield. Miles Gaston will also fill a linebacker spot and figures to be a part of his fair share of tackles.

?We got our offense in at camp and it?s just been constant scrimmaging against dummies, against pads, then we went live and just kept getting our plays down,? Cochran said.

Since practice began Aug. 10, the Warriors have received plenty of time working on both sides of the ball in preparation for their season-opener Friday at home against Cardinal.