Game of the Week Preview: Canyon Randall at Memorial

Memorial’s Ross Dillard was happy to get the first head coaching win of his career out of the way in Week 1.

But for Dillard and the Mavericks, one win is only the beginning.

Now, the focus shifts to Week 2 and continuing to build the identity of a team still finding its way under a first-year head coach.

Dillard knows the work put in during the week has to translate to Friday night.

“Getting those practice reps and then making them transfer over to the field on a Friday night are huge,” Dillard said. “We want to see our guys do that.”

For Memorial, the process is especially important with several young players stepping into new roles.

Those players got their first taste of varsity action in Week 1. Now, they have an opportunity to learn from their mistakes, make adjustments and execute when the lights come on.

“We have young guys who have had to step up into some roles,” Dillard said. “They’re prepared and ready, but it’s their first opportunity to correct some of those mistakes and then get out there and execute.”

The Mavericks will look to take another step forward Friday night when they host Canyon Randall.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Joe Golding Field at Memorial Stadium.

For Dillard, the first win is in the rearview mirror.

Now, it’s all about finding a way to make it two.