The McComb Tigers pay a visit to Monticello and Kendrick Hardy’s stomping grounds on Friday.
He’ll be playing at home, though Lawrence County’s running back hasn’t had a problem wherever he’s played this season.
McComb (0-4, 0-1) will have its first true road game after playing Madison Central at Millsaps College earlier this month.
Lawrence County (3-1, 1-0) will try to follow up its 62-point effort against Florence last week.
While last year’s 14-0 loss to Lawrence County was a close game, Hardy still racked up 222 yards rushing. Three weeks ago, he piled up 269 against North Pike.
The Tiger defense will have to stop the Cougar running attack.
“Nobody else has stopped him,” McComb head coach Randy Martin said. “He’s big. He’s strong. We may need a bazooka to stop him.
“Our defensive line can’t stand and watch. If they do, they’ll watch him go by.”
After a second half surge against Brookhaven, the Tigers have some momentum and will have to keep the consistency they showed against the Panthers.
“We came out trying to get a feel last week, and we’ve shown we can run it some and throw it some,” Martin said. “It’s important for us to establish consistency.”
In last year’s contest, the Tigers moved the ball, but turned it over four times in the red zone. That won’t work this year either as Martin said after last year’s defeat:
“You beat them by not giving them the ball.”
The Tigers protected the ball better last week, but balls were still hitting the ground, especially in the return the game.
That won’t be helped any playing on the road.
“It’s a tough (away game),” Martin said. “We’ve done everything we can. The only thing we can’t do is go over there and practice.”
