Last week, they dealt with leg cramps induced by warm weather. This week, the McComb Tigers are dealing with a different kind of heat.
According to Tigers’ head football coach Malcolm Jones. three McComb football players, including two starters, could very well miss Friday night’s game at South Pike due to disciplinary action.
Jones said the three could be suspended for cutting class and/or tardiness. Jones said he should know the players’ fate some time today.
“You’ve got to care about your teammates,” Jones said. “That means you’re going to be there for them to lean on and help them any way you can. If you’re not able to play in a game, that means you’re not doing that.
“Until we get that selfish mentality out of this team,” Jones added, “it’s gonna be tough.”
Jones also voiced his displeasure at some players missing practice this week.
“Some people don’t understand how important practice is. Some kids don’t understand how important practice is,” Jones said. “It’s going to take a total commitment from everyone to get this thing on track.”
The Tigers turn their eyes this week to cross-county rival the South Pike Eagles.
McComb is coming off a 26-6 loss to the Tylertown Chiefs last week. The Chiefs debuted at No. 1 in Class 3A in this week’s high-school football poll.
In last week’s game, the Tigers were unable to take advantage of three Tylertown fumbles in the first half. The McComb offense registered just six first downs in last week’s game.
“You could feel the kids were disappointed with the results,” Jones said. “But you reap what you sow. Some days we have to pull teeth to get these kids to practice.
“It’s a badge of honor to beat McComb,” he added. “If you don’t work hard to get ready for an opponent, it’s going to happen more.”
Preparing this week for South Pike has been difficult on several fronts for Jones and the Tigers. Along with dealing with team discipline issues, they also must prepare for a team that has yet to play its first game, therefore has no film for the Tigers to review.
Jones said he has viewed the film of last season’s game, which South Pike won, 28-0.
While Jones was left preparing off last season’s game film, he added that he expects South Pike to run the same double slot, four-wide receiver formation as it did last year, mixed in with a zone running game with inside traps off that.
“This is a big rivalry game. It’s going to be a hard-fought football game,” Jones said. “They’ll be coming after us. They’re going to battle us like there’s no tomorrow. That’s what I expect.”
Jones also said he expects the Eagles to operate from a 50 formation on defense.
“You’re preparing for a ghost team,” he said. “We’re just defending ghosts. It makes it hard when you don’t have film to get ready. (South Pike head coach Randall Huffman) has had a chance to see us play.”
If Huffman did see the Tigers play last week, he saw an offense that struggled to move the football and a defense that played well, but tired as the game grew later. The special teams struggled as well, with several shanked punts that gave Tylertown good field position in McComb territory.
