The Westside Warriors varsity football team is set to take on a two-hour road trip to Grand Island to take on the Grand Island Islanders, September 25th at 7 p.m. The Warriors are undefeated coming into this week’s game with a win last week against the Papillion La- Vista South Titans while Grand Island is looking to bounce back after a 22-21 loss against Fremont. After a 28 point first quarter in last week’s game, Junior Jack Wimmer says that they have been working on making an emphasis on getting a hot start in the first half on both sides of the ball. 

“Our players need to come ready to play through any circumstances, which means giving it our all until the end of the game so we need to prepare for each game like it’s going to matter until the final seconds,” Wimmer said. “It also helps when we have a lot of energy coming from the bench and on the field, hyping each other up.”

Grand Island officials made the decision to temporarily ban visiting fans at home games for the 2020 football season. Their officials are also increasing security to make sure no one without a ticket has the ability to get in. Without any parents or student section fans, the impact has been felt by both players and coaches. Senior running-back Raoul Kolani feels the differences will be present, but he and his teammates are ready to play no matter the situation surrounding the game.

“Without fans, it is almost going to feel like practice,” said Kolani “We view [Grand Island] as prep, we want to come home with the win.” 

Tonight’s game can be watched on News Channel Nebraska on Cox channel 116 and 1116. If you don’t have Cox Cable you can watch that game on Grand Island’s Striv network and on the NFHS Network.