PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA (2023 AUGUST 28) – Plattsmouth’s recent victory over Blair was nothing short of exhilarating. The clash, with its tight finishes and heart-stopping moments, made for a game to remember. After the cheers died down and the field cleared, Coach Larsen of Plattsmouth opened up about the match, giving fans a deeper look into the strategies, sentiments, and the drive that fueled the Blue Devils.
The Blair face-off was the closest game in this ongoing rivalry. When probed about whether he felt the game was slipping away, considering Blair’s knack for bouncing back, Larsen said, “We knew it was going to be a battle. We just kept telling our guys over and over again to stay in the fight. I was quite impressed with the poise our team showed. They never got too high or too low; they just stayed the course.”
The game was more than just points on the board; it was about discovering the mettle of the team. Asked what he learned about his players during that intense match-up, Coach Larsen responded, “I kind of hinted at it in the above question about the poise of this team. We have some really good leadership on this team, and their ability to play with each other and for each other really played out.”
One standout player who made headlines was quarterback Gabe Villamonte. His hard yards on the ground were evident to all. Curious about whether this intense style could last the whole season, Larsen remarked, “We were just taking what the defense was giving us. Gabe has the ability to run the ball in our offense if that’s the option an opponent gives us. He’s a smart player, and can make quick decisions in a pinch.”
We were just taking what the defense was giving us…
Plattsmouth Blue Devils Head Coach Curtis Larsen on Gabe Villamonte’s hard running success against the Blair Bears.
Blair surprised many by opening the second half with a deep ball, especially since they had played it cool during the entire first half. However, reflecting on this strategic move, Coach Larsen revealed, “They had one deep ball that went for a TD in the 1st quarter. We kind of knew that they could go back to it in the 2nd half. Gage Olsen is quickly becoming a big factor for us on both sides of the ball. He made a heck of a play for us, I am really proud of him.”
With the Blair game now in the rearview, all eyes are on the upcoming clash with Bennington. When quizzed about the challenges Bennington presents and how they compare to Blair, Larsen shared, “Their offense, Bennington is more run-pass-option oriented so it’s going to be important that we are disciplined. Their defense returned a couple of All-State players, so they are a little more stout on defense. It’ll be important for us to once again stay the course and play for each other every single snap.”
Plattsmouth plays Bennington, at Bennington, on Friday, September 1, at 7PM.
