By Matt Browning

It has been three seasons since the Halstead football team has won a playoff game and if senior running back, Owen Farmer, has his way, that drought will end this season.

“Our biggest goal is to keep playing through November,” Farmer said. “We have a great group of guys this year from the seniors down to the freshmen. We all have one goal and it’s to win.”

Turnovers played a significant part in the Dragons’ lack of success that year, so valuing the ball is something Farmer is focused on improving this season.

“Last season, we struggled a lot with turnovers in crucial moments of games,” Farmer said. “We have lots of dudes returning who have been playing since freshmen and sophomore year. We have grown a lot as players and leaders. Also last year was a rebuilding year with a new coaching staff, so I really feel like we have worked hard in the off season to fix our weaknesses.”

There is one game on Halstead’s schedule that Farmer is focused on more than others.

“The game we have circled is Ellsworth,” Farmer said. “Last year we gave them a 27-0 lead start to the game.”

In order for the Dragons to improve on last season’s three-win campaign and achieve Farmer’s goal of advancing in the playoffs, it will be important to focus one game at a time.

“This year for us to have success we have to focus on the job at hand each week,” Farmer said. “Halstead again doesn’t have a very easy schedule, but It’s part of the game and we aren’t going to complain. We are going to compete.”