After opening the season with some of the most difficult contests of the season, the Lions move forward to the meat of the football schedule. The two games against squads ranked in the top 25 may have been the toughest season openers in school history. But after facing tough opponents, including the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State, the Lions now know what to expect in the upcoming weeks.

“You are just playing another team [each week], you are playing guys the same age as us, they practice every day of the week just like we do,” said junior running back Michael Nelson. “You can’t over think who you are playing.”

Nelson was one of the leading performers in the season opener, rushing for 88 yards and three touchdowns in the 53-28 loss. But with a season full of broken records firmly behind them, the Lions can look forward to the rest of this season.

Next for the Lions is the second road contest of the season against the Ichabods of Nebraska-Kearney, yet another formidable test. Head Coach Daryl Daye is confident Southern can win if they get back to the basics.

“When you are responsible for making a block, you gotta make it,” said Daye. “When you are responsible for holding the football, controlling the football and protecting the football, you gotta do that.”

After the contest with the Ichabods, Southern is set to see some familiar faces from around the MIAA, with three of the next four games coming against opponents that the Lions were able to beat a season ago. For Daye and Southern, the task is pretty simple.

“You are not going to win in any offense by turning the ball over,” said Daye. “You gotta make plays, bottom line.”