Practice is winding down and the North Pike Jaguars are ready for the season to begin.
After a taste of live action at last week’s jamboree, the Jags are focused on traveling to Brookhaven and playing up to the 4A Panthers.
“Our kids are ready to play,” North Pike head coach Chris Smith said. “They’ve taken practice a lot more seriously this week because they know things are serious.”
North Pike will have its first chance to show its improvement over the past calendar year.
In last year’s game, the Jaguars gave Brookhaven plenty of help, with some fumbles and allowing two kickoff returns.
On Friday, North Pike will be focused on themselves.
“You’ve got to take care of your own house and have your kids ready to play,” Smith said.
While Brookhaven has some youth, Smith believes they’re still more experienced than the Jaguars.
“Their youth is probably juniors and sophomores who haven’t started,” Smith said. “Ours is sophomores and freshmen.”
Even with the new faces, Smith knows what he’ll get lining up against the Panthers.
“Brookhaven is Brookhaven,” Smith said. “They’ve got a great coaching staff and are a well-coached, aggressive football team.”
The Panthers will also provide a tough atmosphere to play in, especially to open the season.
“There weren’t a lot of spectators at the jamboree,” Smith said. “The bands and cheerleaders weren’t there. Brookhaven has a great atmosphere and they are going to fill the stadium.”
After last week’s jamboree, the Jaguars have plenty to work on and the defense is the main concern.
“The defense is what’s got to grow,” Smith said. “That’s our big point. We just need to get more consistent on offense.”
There’s plenty of room for growth and that is one plus for the youth the Jaguars have.
“We’re going to get better every week,” Smith said. “Especially our first three games, so we’re ready for division play.”
