Polk County’s football team sandwiched three days of looking inward inside two welcome days of focusing on life outside its fieldhouse.

The Wolverines’ off week came at a good time, admitted head coach Bruce Ollis.

Polk County went back to work Monday in preparation for Friday’s game at East Henderson (7:30 p.m.) after spending its open week on an unusual schedule.

On the heels of a 13-12 loss to R-S Central, Polk County’s players and coaches took Labor Day weekend off, including the holiday itself. Polk then practiced for three days before also not holding workouts on Friday, with coaches and some team members attending East Henderson’s game at Chase.

“Never, in 39 years of coaching, have I had an open week after Labor Day,” Ollis said. “I think it came at the right time. The past week was all about us. We did no preparation at all for East Henderson.

“I told the players going into the week that it was a reality check, a time to do some serious reflection. That’s true for coaches, players, anyone involved in the program. I think the players picked up on that and we had a great week of practice.”

Turnovers have plagued the Wolverines throughout their first three games, including the loss at R-S Central. Ollis also felt that Polk committed too many other errors in the loss, opting to review those via film study.

“Tuesday, we came back in and watched the entire game film,” he said. “We split everybody up and for 50 minutes we watched in offensive group and 50 minutes we watched in defensive groups. I think it was good for the team.

“We’ve got to clean things up, eliminate turnovers and play a little smarter.”

The off week began with the news that junior Bryson Seay, the team’s leading rusher and tackler, will miss several weeks due to broken bones in his foot. He joins senior Elijah Sutton, sidelined for the season with a knee injury, on the sidelines.

“Certainly, with losing Elijah and Bryson, we had our chins on our chests a bit,” Ollis said. “But we’ve got to think next man up. I tell the players every day that you’re a twisted ankle away from being a starter.”

– Submitted by PolkSports.com