Memorial football is nearing a playoff spot, but to extend their season, the Mavs have to beat Legacy on Friday.
Maverick Media talked with coach Marc Bindel about the season and the upcoming rivalry game.
Q: The district Memorial is in has been very competitive. What has that meant for the past few weeks, compared to a more lopsided district?
A: Every game every week you have to bring your A-game, and if you don’t, you are going to lose. Every team in the district has a win. But also, with the position that we are in, every game is like a playoff game. Like against Plainview, we knew that if we lost, we were out of playoff contention, and the game against Legacy is the same way, especially with them fighting for a playoff spot as well. It’s basically been a playoff atmosphere every game we’ve played.
Q: How does it feel to be able to control your destiny for the playoffs?
A: I think it’s good, being in control and not relying on someone else. It’s a really good feeling, and if we show up Friday, then we are in. If at the start of the season, you know that it takes one game to get you in the playoffs, you take that for sure. I think our guys are ready for it.
Q: What has been the best part of the season?
A: I really enjoyed getting to know these kids. I’ve been in WFISD, and knew some of these kids from McNiel and Barwise, but I’ve been able to develop relationships with these guys. Sometimes it’s been a bit hard, but it has also been very rewarding, and that’s why you coach.
Q: Cole Birkhead recently came in and beat Plainview. What does having Cole as a backup quarterback do for the team?
A: We are really blessed to have Cole in a backup role, and he is good enough to start for some teams around the area and even our district. So for him to be an ultimate team player and kind of wait his turn, and he also helps us special teams-wise. He is a great deep snapper, he’s definitely found a role on this team, and it speaks a lot about him that he’s stayed locked in ready to go when we needed him to be the starter. It’s a luxury a lot of teams don’t have.
Q: It’s a big week ahead. How has everyone been working together for this game against Legacy?
A: We’ve been working pretty hard. I don’t see a difference between how we prepared last week against Plainview and this week. But we have been preparing like it’s a playoff game because that’s really what it is. I really like how we have prepared and practiced. If those things transfer over, it’ll be good. I know we will play well and execute.
Q: What does beating Legacy mean to you?
A: Well, this is all really new with Memorial and Legacy. There are kids over there that I coached at Rider that I really care about. To me, as much as there is riding on this game to get into the playoffs, and we can’t get too high or too low for any game this important. It’s not just any game, it’s a rivalry game, but it really is just the game to get us into the playoffs.
