Parklane Academy football will be at home 7 p.m. Friday for a conference match against Lamar School.
The Pioneers defeated Copiah Academy last week, 26-18, for their second win this season. Lamar (4-5) lost to visiting Presbyterian Christian last week.
Lamar defeated Parklane in last year’s meeting, 35-14.
“I think they’ve come back and practiced with a little more inspiration,” Parklane head coach Mike Powell said of his squad. “They did a really good job Friday night dealing with homecoming. All that goes along with that. They went out and won the game; they have two games left and did a really good job coming out and getting ready to go. Knowing that these seniors have a couple games left, it’s been a pretty inspiring practice so far.”
Powell expects to have an advantage again this week with great support from Parklane fans and the community.
“We’re not having the best year as far as our record goes, but I was really pleased with our homecoming crowd and the Columbia game. We haven’t won very many games, but our fans continued to show up, “ Powell said. “They were loud, our band was playing, so it was a really good atmosphere. The guys notice that stuff and they know when people are in the stands.”
The Lamar Raiders team is welcoming back a key player this week against the Pioneers.
“They’re a good football team,” Powell said. “Their quarterback is probably their best player and he’s been out on injury for the last couple of weeks and he’s returning for this game, so we really have to contain him. He’s an exceptionally fast player and he’s got a pretty good arm on him. And he’s only a sophomore, that’s the big upside on him. If we can contain him defensively, we’re going to be OK.
“Offensively, they run an odd front defense, they do a really good job of disguising their blitzes and come from all different places. But we’ve put some things in that are going to give us a chance to handle those blitzes. We can check in and out of plays and give a little more freedom to Carr as far as making sure we’re in the right play call whether we run or pass.”
Parklane’s junior varsity players were able to get more experience with a full week of practice.
“One of the first thing I told them is that was their first varsity win, and of course they were excited about it,” Powell said.
“They’ve been with us Monday and Tuesday so far and there’ve been a couple guys that have stepped up into some starting roles as far as special teams.
“We’ve made some changes on punt team and kickoff coverage, so those guys have been able to come in and show us that they’re willing to get out there do what we need them to do, and that helps our overall team when we can spell some of those guys that are playing both ways.
“That helped us Friday night. Toward the end of the fourth quarter Cole (Smith) was able to rest 10 to 12 plays over the game and I think that helped him make that last long run. So they really have come in, and even with the short practice week they made a difference, and they’re going to make a difference this week also.”
Parklane seniors quarterback Carr Young, wide receivers Jack Dumas, Sanders Ott, Logan Yawn, and linebackers Jace Travis and Cameron Culotta have all played both sides of the ball this season along with junior running back Cole Smith.
