Kyle Hileman crosses into the end zone for the score Saturday night during Seymour’s 42-7 victory on the road over Jeffersonville.
Greg Jones | For The Tribune
The Seymour football team prepares for its toughest task to date in the 2023 season.
The Owls host the Columbus East Olympians on Friday at Bulleit Stadium, looking to grab their first win over Columbus East since 2021. The team won that matchup 28-24, snapping a losing streak to the Olympians that had lasted since 2002.
Head coach Tyson Moore knows the team must remain focused heading into the showdown.
“It’s Columbus East,” he said. “We know they’re going to be one of the most disciplined teams we face all season. They are well coached at each position, and they have a storied tradition that I was even a part of. It’s one of those games that you cannot overlook.”
Seymour is coming off of a demolition of Jeffersonville, which they won 42-7.
The Olympians are hungry for their first win of the season after losing to Columbus North 41-0 in Week 2.
The matchup with Seymour went in favor of Columbus East in 2022 by the score of 34-12.
“We have to have a great focus and possess great energy,” Moore said. “We have to get off to a fast start, and that’s some of the things we have been preaching to our guys all week long.”
The team is looking to repeat some of the success it had in Week 2 on defense, holding the Red Devils to just seven points.
“We have to be ready to defend both the run and pass,” Moore said. “The biggest thing we talked about is consistency. One thing that made us successful last week was we were able to get off the field when we needed to.”
Moore thought the consistency was a huge difference maker from the first game to the second game.
“That was a huge contrast between the first and second game,” he said. “We have to be able to play the sticks better this week. We have to continue with the consistency and be able to get off the field to get the ball back to the offense.”
The game also is the second Hoosier Hills Conference matchup for the Owls, who sit atop the standings at 1-0.
Seymour will then prepare to head to Floyd Central in Week 4 for another conference matchup with the Highlanders.
Owls Quarterback Bret Perry has played well in his first two games. He is currently 36-for-49 with 618 passing yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also has rushed for 85 yards and scored three touchdowns with his legs.
Jaylan Johnson also has showed out on offense, racking up 10 catches for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He also submitted his application for backup quarterback with his touchdown pass against Jeffersonville in Week 2. Kyle Hileman has caught nine passes for 146 yards with three touchdowns. Jack Pennington has caught six balls for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Nicholas Wheeler has been the leader for the Owls on the ground, accumulating 110 yards and one touchdown. His brother, Cameron Wheeler, is second with 95 yards and a rushing touchdown. He also caught a 50-yard receiving touchdown.