As the South Pike Eagles continue practice this week for their first home game of the season Friday night against the Franklin County Bulldogs, Eagles’ head coach Willie Brown has one thing in mind — seeing his team improve in all aspects of the game.
Kickoff Friday night is slated for 7:30.
The Eagles (0-2) enter Friday night’s game following their 26-14 loss at Hazlehurst last week.
Class 3A Franklin County (1-2), meanwhile, comes in off its 33-14 beating at the hands of undefeated McComb last Friday night.
South Pike also looks to avenge its 37-14 loss to the Bulldogs last year.
“Franklin County has an enriched tradition like South Pike,” Brown said. “They are not a weak program. They are indeed well established.”
Against McComb last week, the Bulldogs finished with 113 yards rushing and 79 yards passing.
Although he believes his Eagles have improved in the past week, Brown said he wants them to take more chances than they did in their loss to Hazlehurst last week.
“I think we have improved,” Brown said. “We still have a long way to go. Both the players and the coaches understand we have to work hard. For anything good, we have to struggle.”
Brown will continue to use the Wing-T offense for Friday.
“We have to protect the football. We have to make sure we have no turnovers,” he said.
The Eagles’ defense will have the responsibility this week of stopping Franklin County’s dual quarterback threat of Jadarius Davis and Milton Griffin.
Against McComb last week, the two signal-callers were limited to 4-of-12 passing with two touchdowns. The first score came on a 65-yard completion from Griffin to Calvin Robinson that gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead.
That, however, was the last time the Bulldogs scored until Davis’ 13-yard touchdown toss to Derrick Bethley after McComb had opened a 33-7 advantage.
In the Eagles’ loss to Hazlehurst, senior quarterback Devonta McKnight completed 2-of-11 passes for 18 yards ,and junior running back Dewayne Pounds rushed 24 times for 151 yards.
South Pike’s major goal this week, Brown said, will be the team’s overall focus.
With this still being a fairly young season, Brown said it isn’t too late to turn things around, especially on defense.
“We have to tackle and possibly force some turnovers,” Brown said.
On defense, South Pike was led last week by junior linebacker Zadarius Washington with 13 tackles.
“If we can block and tackle and play all four quarters,” Brown said, “the score will take care of itself. We have to focus.”
Brown reported no injuries and said everyone is expected to be ready to play.
