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(KYLIE BAILEY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Sergi Unanue fights for the ball during the matchup Friday, Feb. 7 against Burkburnett. The Steers came away with a big 5-1 victory over the Bulldogs in their second district game on their schedule.
After falling 5-1 in their district opener to Bridgeport, the Graham Steers flipped the script and brought a 5-1 victory over Burkburnett at home.
The Steers went into their second district game Friday, Feb. 7 with victory on their mind. With three points from Easton Hedge and two from Victor Pardo, head coach Tim Wankowicz said all scoring was key to a victory.
“We’ve never put that many up on Burk. They are stingy in the back,” Wankowicz said. “The goal that stood out to me was this brilliant ball played through their back line by Victor to Easton. Easton took command of that ball and drilled it past their keeper to the far post. I turned to coach Weil and said, ‘What a ball.’ That kind of precise passing is key to beating teams and having success.”
While offensively the Steers came out in full force, Wankowicz said the defense was right there along the way making plays for the team.
“Thomason Burkett playing with us Friday night was a huge boost to our defense. Our defense has been lights out for the most part, but Thomason brings a size and speed aspect that does nothing but help our very young back line; even though he’s a sophomore himself,” he said.
Graham was able to score three points just in the first 25 minutes of the first period and scored another two in the second half of the second period. The head coach said the team has had practice up until district and everything is starting to come together.
“The boys have come together and are meshing together well,” Wankowicz said. “They’ve adapted to a formation they haven’t run before and they are being successful for the most part.”
While the team is starting to “gel” together, Wankowicz said communication is still a top priority to work on.
“We need to communicate more effectively, movement off the ball has hurt us in the past and we have to get everyone defending as a unit,” he said.
After another home matchup Tuesday, Feb. 11 against Decatur, the Steers will travel Friday, Feb. 14 to Mineral Wells for a 7:30 p.m. game at Ram Stadium.
