Colbie Barr and the Wolverines will open their season at Bucktail tonight. Times Observer File Photo

SHEFFIELD — The Sheffield-Abraxas co-op has always been a unique aspect of the football program, and this year is no different, as Wolverines’ head coach Mike Barr has spent the last two weeks unifying the two squads into one team while preparing them for their opening game at 7 tonight on the road against the Bucktail Bucks.

“The kids are getting along really well,” said Barr. “That’s very positive and exciting to see. Their unified play on the field, communication and obviously playing physical — I’m always looking to get more physical.”

The Wolverines are coming off a scrimmage last Saturday and Barr is feeling good about where the team is at going into their first game of the year.

“We definitely had progression this week,” Barr stated. “Kids picking up the plays a little better, adding to the playbook a little bit. It helps that we were able to get some film of us to watch and get some Hudl (video) of the other team to watch. The kids really dove into that. It’s been a good week.”

Bucktail runs a wing offense and the triple option, which Barr sees as an opportunity to take advantage of the Wolverines’ outside speed and athleticism. As for the offense, the second-year head coach has no doubt they’ll be prepared.

“We really practiced hard against the wing,” Barr added. “I think our outsides should match up. I think they should be able to have big games. We’ve got some players back that we didn’t have for the scrimmage that were out and that’s gonna help us solidify the offense.”

Outside of a few injuries, some bumps and bruises and a couple players out with due to COVID-19, Sheffield will enter tonight’s game with more than 30 players and more depth at key positions than the team has had the luxury of in the past.

“Focused. We gotta come into this focused,” Barr said about the team’s mentality. “That was the message (Wednesday) that (last night’s) intensity needs to be (tonight’s) intensity and hopefully they bring it. We’re healthy from a standpoint of injuries. We’re coming in full power.”