A season crippled from injuries has not stopped the Indians as they continue their fight against the Lobos tonight in Levelland.

“Injuries are something we deal with in athletics,” Head Coach Chris Burtch said. “This year there has been more than usual. It’s a horrible thing for the guy who got injured, but it’s a good thing for the other guy who steps up to play and get better.”

Thirteen players who started or would have started have missed at least one game or multiple games due to injuries this season.

“I’d say the injuries have affected us in some good ways and some bad ways,” senior defensive lineman Dexter Longley said. “ It hurts to lose talent, but it has made a lot of guys step up into a role they’ve never played before. They have done a great job.”

In the Indian football program, freshmen through varsity, 21 athletes are not playing with injuries which is enough to field a team.

“[Injuries] affected me, the team and everybody quite a bunch,” junior running back Addison Parum said. “Just trying to practice with so few people and trying to get fill ins and backups is difficult.”

Senior defensive lineman Andy Luna tore his medial collateral ligament and senior linebacker Hunter Weishuhn tore his posterior cruciate ligament during the Estacado game on Oct. 26.

“The injuries have caused some young sophomores to step up and fill the roles of experienced seniors,” Weishuhn said. “They have done a great job at that. I’ll play again. I get my MRI results, and hopefully I’ll play this Friday or next depending on my results.”

The Indians will go into the game tonight with a 1-2 district record compared to Levelland’s 0-3 record.

“Levelland is a very talented team and a very big team,” Burtch said. “Fortunately for us and unfortunately for them they have a three-game losing streak. Their confidence is down. It’s important for us to gain momentum on our side early and cause them to doubt.”

Weishuhn said the Indians are a better team than Levelland so the Indians should get district win number two.

“I think they are pretty beat down,” Weishuhn said. “We are about to finish them off.”

Parum said a win is a matter of  confidence in the team.

“We can beat anyone out there,” Parum said. “We just have to fight until the last whistle blows.”

The best comparison may be from results of both the Indians and Lobos against Cooper. Levelland lost to Cooper, 20-14, and the Indians beat the Pirates, 15-14. Both teams played close games against the Pirates, but the Indians do not give up as seen by fourth-quarter scoring in both the Cooper and Estacado games.

“I expected us to win,” senior lineman Riley Clark said. “I like how we came together and fought until the end. I expect us to win more games. It’s a good feeling.”

The Indians need to clench the next two wins in order to have a chance to make the playoffs.

“For sure we can make the playoffs,” Longley said. “We have a very good chance. If we win out, we will get third place. If we tie, we will have to flip for it.”

The Indians share their district record with Cooper and need Estacado to lose out in hopes for a playoff run.

“[Estacado and Cooper] are really good teams,” Parum said. “I don’t want  to worry about them; I want to worry about us trying to get there.”

The Indians seem to be a paradox between what exists and what can exist.

“Our strengths are our fight, our desire to never give up and our desire to play hard,” Burtch said. “Our weakness is our depth and that’s because of the injuries.”

Longley said he is really proud of his teammates because they have pushed through losses. Luna said circumstances have been against them.

“We’ve gotten better every week,” Luna said. “Things just haven’t turned out the way we wanted them to.”

The key, according to Weishuhn, is never to give in.

“We never give up no matter what is happening in the game,” Weishuhn said. “We plan on going to the playoffs. I plan on having a great run with my teammates. I love them all, and we have a lot of heart.”

Another key is dealing with frustration in a positive way.

“Our guys have played really hard all year long,” Burtch said. “Some kids have really had to step up and grow up really hard because of the injuries. I’m just really proud of the boys because it’s easy to play hard when you’re winning. It’s easy when nobody is hurt. To keep going when things aren’t always going your way–it’s hard to fight and hard to persevere, but that’s what they are doing.”