CVA will take on Cornerstone Christian tonight at home in the season opener for both teams.
Hudson said his team is mostly focused on the work ahead and not on another team.
“It’s just a matter of us getting ready and getting better every week, and that’s what we’ve been trying to do,” Hudson said. “We’re not really thinking about another team right now; we’re just trying to get ourselves ready to play a football game.”
The Rebels went from state champs in 2010 to a disappointing 4-7 last season.
Hudson hopes a win tonight will help his team breathe a collective sigh of relief.
“They had a rough year last year after winning the state championship in 2010,” Hudson said. “We just need to start out and play well in the opener and hopefully end that with a win. Just use that as a jumpstart for the season and continue to win every week. If we do that, I think we’ll have a very competitive football team.”
Hosting a team you lost to the previous season can get some players focused on vindication.
Hudson hopes to keep his team focused and said he is just glad to get one under their belts.
“Any time you’re playing at home, you’re supposed to have an advantage,” Hudson said. “I don’t know how big of an advantage that is, but we’re definitely glad we’re playing at home.”
With weather being a potential issue tonight, CVA might have to change its plan of attack.
Either way, the Rebels will be prepared.
“We try to run a multiple offense and we try to keep it about 50-50,” Hudson said. “We’ll probably be a little more run heavy, especially if it rains like everyone says it is. We’ll work on our run offense and try to get some things going with it and open up the passing game with our running game.”
Bringing in a new coach can be tough for any team. The athletes are forced to learn a new system quick, but Hudson feels the transition has been an easy one.
“We have a new offense and a new defense this year,” Hudson said. “Our kids have grasped it pretty well in fall camp. There’s still some things we have to do. Hopefully, if by the end of the year we’re lucky enough to make it to the playoffs, we may be able to surprise some people down the line.”
The first-year head coach has seen film from last year’s Cornerstone team, but says that footage doesn’t help in such an early game.
“It’s the first game of the year for both of us,” Hudson said. “Me being new to the area, I didn’t know a whole lot about them. I know the coach over there is a really good coach. He does a good job; they’re going to be well prepared. They’re very athletic at their skill positions and we know it’s going to be a dogfight.”
Regardless of all the circumstances surrounding the game, the Rebels are anxious to get out and see where all the off-season work has put them.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Hudson said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge and we’re ready to play a football game. We’re tired of hitting each other.”
