The Lions (3-0, 2-0) travel to Etowah County to face Coosa Christian in region play on Friday. Victory Christian head coach Scotty Smith said stopping the run would be key for the Lions this week.
“They’ve got a running back that they say is being recruited by SEC schools,” Smith said. “He’s fast and strong. We’re going to have to wrap him up, limit him to eight, 10, 12-yard plays and not give him the big play.”
Coosa Christian fell to Appalachian last week to give the Conquerors their first loss of the season. The Lions have posted wins over Collinsville, Ragland and Jacksonville Christian so far this season.
Smith has confidence in his offense and said the defense is getting better each week.
“The past 15 games we’ve played we’re 12-3,” Smith said. “We’re good on offense. Hopefully we can score. If we can just slow people down, not let them play keep away from us. Our defense is getting better.”
The Lions and the Conquerors kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday from Gadsden.
Parkway Christian Academy (1-2, 1-1) at Ragland (1-2, 1-1)
Friday 7 p.m.
Last season Ragland defeated Parkway Christian 17-13
Ragland lead the series 1-0.
The Ragland Purple Devils host a pivotal Class 1A Region 5 matchup with Parkway Christian on Friday at 7 p.m. For Ragland coach Brian Mintz Friday night’s game is a big one since it has playoff implications.
“It is a big game,” Mintz said. “I know it’s early, but it has playoffs implications so it’s a big game.”
The Purple Devils (1-2,1-1) have spent the week trying to get familiar with a team that primarily runs the football.
In the first three weeks of the season Ragland faced teams that run the spread offense, so facing a team that operates with the quarterback under center will be a challenge.
“They are an I (formation) team so the quarterback will be under the center,” Mintz said. “We haven’t seen many teams under center. We have mostly seen teams line up out of the shotgun. They are an option team so we are going to have to play assignment football.”
Last week Ragland thumped region foe Jefferson Christian 40-0 for their first win of the season. This week of practice Mintz could tell his guys had a little pep in their step since they finally picked up a win, but for the most part it has been business as usual.
“A little bit,” Mintz said when asked if he could tell a difference in team after winning last week. “This week we have just been getting back to work. We enjoyed the win, but we have to be getting back to work.”
Parkway Christian also picked up their first win of the season last week as they defeated Saint Bernard 32-0.
Mintz believes his team is going to have to control the football by not allowing the big play if they are going to win their second region game of the season.
“I believe we have a excellent shot of winning if we play solid football and not turn the ball over,” Mintz said. ”We cannot give up big plays for scores.”
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