The South Pike High School football team travel to Kentwood, Louisiana, this Friday to take on the Jewel Sumner Cowboys in the Eagles’ last non-district game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
This is the Eagles’ (3-1) second road game of the season. South pike is riding a two-game win streak and hope to go into district play 4-1.
“We’re putting emphasis on one game at a time,” head coach Michael Andrews said. “We just want to keep that in mind and focus on that and getting the victory.”
The Eagles look to redeem themselves following their 46-22 loss to the Cowboys last season, and ride a winning streak into district play. South Pike defeated Franklin County last week in a 20-0 shutout, putting them at 3-1 this season and already achieving more wins than their 2013 campaign.
“We’re always trying to improve,” Andrews said. “You’re never in a situation where you play a perfect ballgame. There’s always something to work on. We’re going to continue to do the same things, just be as good as we possibly can doing those things. We definitely want to focus on the turnovers. That cost us a few situations last week where we weren’t able to score.”
Andrews said ball security, tackling and staying mentally in the game are other issues.
South Pike’s defense, led by defensive back John Jones with five interceptions this season, and the team’s leading tackler, linebacker Corey Pittman, will have their hands full against a Cowboys (2-1) offense that is averaging 37 points a game through three games this season.
“On defense, we need to stop them,” Andrews said. “They are good at both. They like to throw and they also like to run so we have to be on our toes when it comes to that, making sure we are keying on our responsibilities and our techniques so that we can slow them down.”
The Eagles will be up against a defense that has only given up 34 points through three games.
Quarterback Qauvonte Adams and running backs Jaxavian Holmes and Marc Varnado lead an Eagles’ offense that is averaging 340 yards a game.
“We have to stop them from gaining momentum with positive gains on offense,” Andrews said. “We’re going to continue to do what we do. We’re just going to run the ball and we’re going to try to throw a little bit. Our basic concept is to keep it simple and, most importantly, execute. If we’re able to do that, I feel good about the outcome this Friday night.”
Some athletes are banged up, but everyone is expected to be available Friday.
“That’s typical in this sport,” Andrews said. “Overall, everyone’s healthy.”
The Eagles are on the road for the first time since the season-opener.
“We’ve heard some fans show a lot of interest in coming down to Kentwood,” Andrews said. “They’re trying to find a way to get there.”
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SPORTS EDITOR Josh Troy contributed to this report.
