Despite averaging over 21 points offensively per game last season, the WACO Warrior football team were only victorious one time. Last season’s shortcomings fo rthe Warriors came on the defensive side of the ball. The Warriors ranked last in the Class A District 6 play in scoring defense, giving up an average of 33.5 points per game.

Head coach Chad Edeker says if his team is to improve in 2015, the Warriors’ tackling will need to improve, “Last year we didn’t miss a ton of tackles, but we also didn’t tackle great either.” Edeker said, “A majority of the time we didn’t get off our blocks well enough. We have to do a better job of penetrating the line, getting off the blocks, and being an overall better defensive team.”

WACO scored 20 or more points offensively, and gave up 34 or more points defensively in six of their nine games last season. Edeker says two of his top three tacklers from last season are returning in seniors Jackson Gerot and Bryce Achen. Justin Chalupa, the team’s leader in interceptions last season, is also expected to return to help the Warrior secondary.

WACO opens the 2015 regular season on Friday, August 28, at home versus the Columbus Wildcats. Hear an interview with Edeker on this week’s Jet Physical Therapy Radio Coaches Corner, tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. on AM and FM KCII and KCIIRadio.com.