It’s a battle of teams heading in different directions to open the season when the North Pike Jaguars visit the McComb Tigers on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7:30.
The Jaguars enter the game after winning two of their first three, including last week’s 35-3 drubbing of East Central.
McComb, meanwhile, fell to 0-3 after its 35-14 loss at Franklin County last Friday night.
The Jaguars have made a complete turnaround from last season, when they opened with three consecutive losses. Head coach Chris Smith said the early-season success has come from hard work and faith.
“It’s got a lot to do with the kids buying in to what we’re doing," he said. “The kids busted it in the weight room. Last year, we weren’t big enough or fast enough to make the big play.
“Our team unity has really come on this year,” Smith added. “We’re really starting to take the ‘I’ out of team and we’re coming together as a unit.”
This season, the Jaguars have turned things around, especially on offense. With running backs LaDerrick Turner and Jalen Adams and quarterback Revis Butler leading the way, North Pike has assembled a formidable ground attack.
While McComb has struggled early, Smith said the Tigers are not a team to take for granted.
“They have played three quality football teams,” Smith said. “They haven’t played a weak sister. I know the teams they’ve played, and they’ve played them good.”
Smith said he expects the Tigers to come out running on all cylinders from their Spread offense, with their quarterback duo of LaMarvin Ashley and Marshall Dexter.
Demarcus Jenkins has emerged as both the Tigers’ top rusher and receiver. Through the first three games, he has rushed 12 times for 116 yards and caught four passes for another 65 yards, all tops on the team.
“They utilize their speed and they’ve got a lot to utilize,” he said. “Their backs and receivers can really run.”
On defense, the Tigers are a physical unit that can change a game in a hurry, Smith said.
“Their linebackers are pretty good. They don’t mind hitting you,” Smith said. “If you’re standing around, you’re gonna get lit up.”
According to Smith, the main focus at practice for North Pike this week has been eliminating the penalties the Jaguars racked up last week. Against East Central, the Jaguars were penalized 22 times, including 18 of the 5-yard variety.
“We had way too many penalties,” Smith said. “Granted, some of them came in the fourth quarter with the junior varsity squad in. But when you watch the film, you always find things you can work on.”
Smith said junior outside linebacker D.D. Jackson sustained a concussion in last week’s game and is listed as questionable for Friday night’s game at McComb.
