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In the two weeks since their last game, the Fairbanks Grizzlies didn’t just get healthy, they’ve gotten on the same page.

That was something easier said than done in a season that has been marked by long road trips and big roster changes.

Now, they finally found the time. And the coaches think it’s playing off.

And the Grizzlies will need to be at their best as they try to topple the Alaska Wild for the first time this season after losing to them in their two previous meetings. The two teams kickoff at 7:05 Tonight at the Carlson Center.

“I thought the offense over that period worked out pretty good as far as the time they got on the field,” head coach John Fourcade said. “We got in here (the Carlson Center), and that helps out.”

But the biggest impact may have been on the defensive backfield, where newcomer Terrel Sutton has had time to build up his leadership of the unit.

“The defensive secondary, they got reps together over that period,” Fourcade said. “The secondary is playing much better. They understand the packages that we’re trying to put back there. It takes time. ... We’ve got some experienced guys now. If they can bond together, we’ll be fine.”

During the first 10 games, the Grizzlies (1-9) have been beaten for big plays time and time again — mainly because of blown coverages.

With just three defensive backs, and 50 yards to cover, the defensive backs have to know where their partners in the backfield are going to be. Too often, they haven’t.

But Fourcade hopes that Sutton serving as his defensive field general will change all that.

“He’s a player/coach. He is the secondary coach,” Fourcade said. “He’s a veteran of eight years with arena football, he’s got three championships. He’s been around.

“I hope we see a lot less of blown coverages. It’s very simple, if they’re in one formation, we’re going to call a coverage. If they move to another one, we call it out, that’s all you have to do. If it’s man, you need to know what man it is. If it’s zone you’ve got to know what zone it is. That’s all you have to do.”

Sutton, who played with the Grizzlies on their Texas road trips, came up to Fairbanks the first time before the Corpus Christi game two weeks ago. But he barely had time to learn his teammates’ names, let alone teach them anything.

Now that he’s had time to practice with them, everyone’s noticing a difference.

Fellow defensive back Daniel Dumas noted that the defense was now turning back a Grizzlies offense that usually got the better of them in practice.

And defensive coordinator Lee Mireles said, “Terrel, not only has he taught them coverages, but he’s brought a new type of attitude. He doesn’t like to lose. He’s a perfectionist.”

If the defense is strong, it will take the pressure off a Grizzlies offense that is going up against one of the toughest units in the league.

The Wild (4-6), have shown big-play ability time and time again this season. Their 27 interceptions are tied for second in the Intense Football League. Their 10 interception returns for touchdowns top the league. And their 20 fumble recoveries are five more than the next closest team.

The defense is anchored by the backfield tandem of Demarcus James and James Griffin.

Ware leads the IFL with 15 picks and Griffin has eight.

But Fourcade thinks his team can find success against the Wild — if they’re patient.

“I think we can do some things offensively because of the coverages they run,” he said. “They have a really good secondary and we want to stay away from the stuff they do good out there — that’s throw the ball to No. 2 (James).”

While the quarterback situation was up in the air before the Corpus Christi game, there’s no doubt this week — Bo Bartik’s the man.

“Bo’s the quarterback. He’s going to be the quarterback until something otherwise happens. He played well last (game) against Corpus Christi, put up good stats,” Fourcade said. “I’ll get mad at him when he does stupid things. He’s a good quarterback and wants to win and everything, but it’s not every play you have to win. He thinks it’s one play and the world ends. It’s not that way. That’s why God gave you four downs.

“I tried to explain it to him: Don’t try to be a hero on every down.”

In fact, after two weeks of preparation, Fourcade hopes the Grizzlies are through with being individual heroes and ready to win as a team.