SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
After stumbling out of the gate in 2011 Sioux City East rebounded and advanced to the Class 4A playoffs for the third straight year. Making it back in 2012 is a top priority for the Black Raiders.
"Anytime you're at East, you expect to win championships," head coach
Bob Goodvin said. "That's no different this year. We have three goals. We want to be City champs, district champs and state champs. That's what East High is all about."
A tough district schedule, which pits East against three playoff teams from last year including the state champions from West Des Moines Valley, could be an uphill battle for the Black Raiders. But, they're not shying away from the challenge.
"If we ignore the big dog in the room, the elephant in the room Valley, I think we're as good as anybody else," Goodvin said. "It's going to be tough. But, that's what we want. We want to play the best."
Admittedly, the squad lacks size in the trenches. But, they believe they have the perfect recipe to offset the challenges they face up front.
"We might now be as big as we were in previous years or anything, but we work just as hard as we do every year," senior Brandon Cabney said. "We have some really athletic kids. I think we'll be fine."
"We're hoping to kill teams on the outside with our speed advantage," Dom Thompson-Williams added.
East has the perfect litmus test to start the season, opening against Bishop Heelan
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I love playing Heelan," Dom Thompson-Williams said. "I can't wait to play these guys."
"It's the biggest game of the year," Cabney added. "If we lose this one and win the rest, it's never really a complete season. We want to win this game over anything. That's a just our deal."
East will try to advance to the postseason for the fourth straight year in 2012.
