Brownstown Central football head coach Reed May is trying to make sure his team is locked in this week as the Braves have yet another big game on the road.

Coming off of a Jackson Bowl game that Brownstown lost 28-24, May felt like it was his team’s best performance of the year despite not getting the result they wanted.

After the intensity and focus that the rivalry game brought last week, May is focused on making sure his team keeps that same focus.

“Against Seymour, they were fired up, focused intently on the game. Even though we lost, we’re still concerned about letdown,” May said. “Now, you’re getting ready for Indian Creek, it’s on the road, I’m not sure we have the same focus that we need to have. That’s one of the things I’ve been harping on the kids all week.”

Seymour was an opponent that could push the ball down field in the passing game, and May thought his defense was able to limit the Owls in that area last Friday.

That was thanks to the defensive line.

“I thought our defensive front did pretty well. They didn’t throw the ball as well as they had against other teams, and I think that’s because of our front four,” May said. “Offensively, Carson (Darlage) had a good game again. We didn’t throw the ball a lot, but some of the passes we threw, people were open, we just didn’t throw it to the right spot.”

The Braves will have their hands full again trying to defend the passing game against Indian Creek.

IC senior quarterback Arjun Lothe threw six touchdown passes last week in a 48-20 win against Edgewood.

“We played well against Seymour, but the guys we have back there, three of the four were outside linebackers in June, and now, they’re playing defensive back,” May said. “We’ve had to make some changes, but they played well against Seymour. Hopefully, they step up and play well against Indian Creek.”

Like Brownstown, Indian Creek also has a record of 4-2 on the season.

May remembers a lot of battles with Indian Creek as both teams seemed to routinely meet in the sectional in the early 2000s. Over the last 35 years, Brownstown has held a 12-2 advantage, but each game felt like a big one.

Mike Gillin was the longtime coach of Indian Creek, and now, his son, Casey Gillin, has taken over at the helm. May remembers Casey when he quarterbacked Indian Creek.

Casey is in his first year coaching IC.

“He’s young, got a new staff and they get them fired up,” May said. “They throw the ball really well, they have great receivers and they’re much better than they were last year.”

Brownstown defeated Indian Creek 54-20 last season, but both teams look much different this year.

Watching film is a big part of Brownstown’s preparation. The team watches film every morning with May for about 45 minutes, but he tries to stress to the players that watching film on their own time is vital, as well.

Brownstown has former players come speak to the team every Tuesday, and that’s a common message they give to the players: You only get so many games in your four years in high school football, so make the most of it.

This Tuesday’s speaker was Todd Brown, who graduated in 1996 and played at Manchester College.

“Film and meeting time is just as important as practice time,” May said.

May knew last week’s game against Seymour was going to help them win or lose, and they hope it helps them this Friday at Braves Field at 7 p.m. against another formidable opponent.