FERRIDAY — Huntington School head coach Chad Harkins is stressing team goals this week in practice.

Being a better team than the week before is the stated goal of the Hounds coaches and players, Harkins said. Last week’s dismissal of two players is something he feels distracted the team from that goal.

“We definitely had a couple of things happen that kept our attention from where it needed to be,” Harkins said.

Harkins’ young team features only two seniors and has been riddled with injuries. Since most of these players will be returning next season, Harkins said he is not afraid to let them take their hits.

“We had several injuries at the start of the season,” Harkins said. “Since our guys play both ways, we had an ordeal where four players on offense and defense were out, and that’s hurt us.

“We were already a small team coming into the season, and we’re a much smaller team now (after the dismissals). But we’ll take our lumps and be a better team because of it. If anyone wants to be a part of what we’re doing, they’re going to have to show up and pay the price.”

Harkins and his staff are also trying to go back to running the offense they ran before the start of this season.

“We’re working on running the double wing offense. We averaged 3,500 yards on the ground the last two seasons with it. This year, we got away from that offense, because we had smaller lineman and certain skill players that we wanted to try and open the offense up for.”

Even in the midst of a season that hasn’t gone how anyone had hoped so far, Harkins had good things to say about the work ethic of his players.

“Every kid on our team, whether it’s a 14-year-old freshman or an 18-year-old senior, will show up and work hard,” Harkins said. “If you have that kind of attitude from your players, you’re going to get better every week.”

Up next for the Hounds is Briarfield Academy, which it will play Friday.

“They have about 17 to 18 players (total),” Harkins said. “They’re a physical, well-coached team that will try to run the ball on you.”

A big key to Friday’s game will be the Hounds’ ability to sustain long drives, Harkins said.

“We have to try to speed up the game by running the ball and be able to control the clock.”