The question was raised a couple of posts down, and I think it’s worth more discussion. With two weeks off between the semifinals and the Prep Bowl, how should teams handle preparation? There is normally only one week between rounds, but with the Gophers playing at the Metrodome on Saturday and Thanksgiving (the traditional weekend for the Prep Bowl) late this year, we find ourselves with this long break.

I spoke at length with the two Class 2A coaches last night, and the first question to both was this: Are you giving your players some days off this week? The answers were polar opposites.

Luverne coach Todd Oye gave his team Monday and Friday off. “It gives us a little time to heal up,” he said. “And with Thanksgiving thrown in, [next week is] a rushed week. I feel pretty fortunate to have the two weeks. We’re ready for a break.”

Caledonia coach Carl Fruechte is taking the opposite approach, having practice every day to keep his players sharp. “We are taking no time off. We are sticking to our plan,” he said. “The main thing is we want to make sure our heads are clear and our legs are ready to sprint. We’re trying to keep them fresh but not hammer them too hard.”

Those are definitely two different approaches. Is there a right way and a wrong way? Certainly not. Each coach knows his players and his team’s routine best.

Put yourself in a coach’s shoes. What would you do?

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