The South Pike football team is coming off of a 20-14 overtime win at Jefferson County in Brinson Wall’s first game as the head coach and is looking to build on that in its home opener against Franklin County at 7 p.m. Friday.
“We’ve got to play a lot of young kids, and they’ve got to experience Friday nights for the first time,” Wall said. “Anytime you can get a win, especially early in the season, it’s a huge momentum boost for the whole team. It shows our young kids they can compete.”
Senior William Carter had 9- and 3-yard touchdown runs for the Eagles last week, while freshman quarterback Dontavious Turner had a 35-yard touchdown run.
Franklin County lost to Brookhaven in the season opener 21-13. Clay Wright of the Bulldogs had a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown to cut the Panthers’ halftime lead to 21-7.
Senior De’Martre Collins had a 16-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for Franklin County.
The Bulldogs defeated the Eagles 19-0 last season.
“We have to stop No. 4 (Collins), and we have to put pressure on the quarterback,” Wall said. “You give him time, he will pick you apart. We need to throw the football better and control the line of scrimmage. We have to continue to play hard for four quarters. If we do that we will always have a chance. I think that the schemes that both teams will play will be a little different (from last year). It’s South Pike and Franklin County. It’s going to be a great non-division game — should be fun.”
