Regional play in full swing for Patriots

The Homewood High School football team is coming off four straight nine-win seasons, including a second-round state playoff berth last fall. Class 6A, Region 5 play kicks off Sept. 2 and is always a critical part of the Patriots’ schedule.

“Expectations are really high this year,” said head coach Ben Berguson. “We’ve got some work to do … We’ve gotten better every week since spring training.”

The Patriots kick off region play with a match-up against a team they have never faced in Parker. Andre Robinson is in his second stint as head coach of the Thundering Herd and always fields a competitive football team.

The following week, Homewood packs up and heads to Jackson-Olin for a road contest against the Mustangs. The Patriots have won all six meetings between the two programs, including a 27-3 decision in 2015.

“There will be a lot of speed in the region,” Berguson said. “Our main goal is to worry about ourselves, and us just getting better every week throughout the season.”

On Sept. 16, Homewood travels to Helena for a non-region contest. The two teams have never met on the field, as the Huskies are only in their third year of existence.

Following a week off, the Patriots wrap up September against John Carroll on Sept. 30. The Cavaliers went winless last fall but are under new leadership in head coach Logan Colafrancesco.

In the crosstown battle, Homewood holds a 23-6 edge, and last lost in 1999.

“I want to take that next step,” Berguson said. “I’m looking for that 10th win every year. If we keep grinding, it’ll happen. We’ve actually won three region championships (in the last four years). We’re beyond having that goal of just making the playoffs every year. Our goal is to win the region every year … I need the magic formula to get past that ninth win.”