Block High School coach Josh Loy is using a specific tactic this week to prepare his team for LHSAA Class 3A Jena.

“We haven’t talked about Jena at all this week,” he said. “They are a great ball club and we recognize that, but this is about us.”

Loy said he hopes keeping the focus within allows the Bears to improve not only physically, but mentally as well.

Last week, Block fell to Sicily Island late in the game, 28-22, and Loy said he wants his team to learn from its missed opportunities.

“We have to be more efficient,” he said. “It was definitely a growing experience. We have to learn from it and grow from it, because I expect us to be in that position again during the season.”

After last week’s physical matchup, Loy said the Bears will be without multiple starters for this week’s road game.

“We are going to be playing a bunch of young guys. They are getting an opportunity get on the field and show what they can do,” he said. “They have to get playing time sometime, because these are the ones that will be helping us down the road.”

Despite the classification and experience difference, Loy said he is looking for overall effort this week.

“I want them to compete for four quarters and not give up,” he said. “The outcome of the game is not the determining factor.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday.