BROOKINGS — The Brookings Bobcats have started the season by winning their first two games, but they’re still looking for ways to improve. 

Heading into Friday night’s matchup against Aberdeen Central, the Bobcats are looking to keep some of the things that have fueled their start going — such as a defense that has posted back-to-back shutouts — and also looking to tweak things such as finding some balance on offense.

Balance wasn’t an issue for the Bobcats as they defeated Mitchell 34-0 at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium last Friday night. Running back Will Conrad ran for 226 yards and two touchdowns in the win but Clark said the gameplan was based on what the Kernels gave them on defense and would like to see more action in the passing game on Friday.

“We didn’t have to throw a lot last week against Mitchell and we just took what the defense gave us,” Brookings coach Brady Clark said. “It was a nice game for us to really cement our running game and build some confidence there and it really opened up the other areas of our game…[But] I guess you could say, selfishly…I just want to see some more balance on offense and not have to run as much.”

Clark said that getting the ball in the hands of wide receiver Alex Wainman and tight end Bergen Tetzlaff were one way to create balance but he also noted it wasn’t something the Bobcats were going to force.

“If you don’t need [to throw], why do it?” Clark asked. “But I just know if we can start that process now, that will help us later.”

While a tweak could help the offense, the defense is looking to keep its momentum going. The Bobcats haven’t allowed a point through two games this season and Clark believes that his team’s maturity has played a key role in their improvement.

“We’re a year older and we have more leadership in general this year just with by having more numbers in the program,” Clark said. “Guys are doing a good job of helping hold each other accountable and pick each other up and they need to take the lessons we learned from last year and build off of it.”

The next opportunity to grow will come against a team they saw success against last season. Aberdeen Central was held to 13 points in a loss in Brookings last October but they’ve started this season by losing their first two games despite some strong talent.

Tight end Colby Dauwen leads the way for the Golden Eagles offense, with 11 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns over the first two games. While fullback Joey Dallmann has thrived in a utility role, quarterback Brenner Waldrop will also be a concern due to his size and big arm.

“They’re a big football team,” Clark said of Aberdeen Central. “They always have big guys and big skill guys too. [Dauwen] is definitely one you gameplan for and [Waldrop] is a big kid too. If you give him time in the pocket, he delivers a nice football. So our goal there is to not let him get comfortable.

“They’re going to get plays, but if we can keep him uncomfortable all night and maybe get some re-routes on their receivers, I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.”

The Golden Eagles' defense also has plenty of size and speed. Safety Cordell Rychlik, who had 8.5 tackles with two tackles for loss in the season opener against Pierre and defensive back Even Sichmeller, who had nine tackles including one for loss against the Governors, are two players that the Bobcats will need to account for but Clark believes his team will be ready after going up against his defense in practice.

“We have an active secondary and we’ve been used to seeing the speed,” Clark said. But they’re just physical around, so those are things we’re definitely going to look at and see on Friday night.”

For a team that has entered the Class 11AA rankings, the fourth-ranked Bobcats are looking to keep their momentum going against the Golden Eagles and open the year with their third straight win.

“Our confidence level has been growing, which has been really fun to see as a coach,” Clark said. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel right now, but we’re just trying to bring some things up that we’ve noticed the first couple of weeks and get better at what we’re already doing.”