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Friday night football
features key matchups
By
MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com
The second week of the high
school football season begins tonight and after tonight many teams should
have a better idea of which way their season is heading.
The premiere match of the evening has to be Starr's Mill (1-0) at Fayette
County (1-0).
The game between the Panthers and the Tigers features two experienced
quarterbacks, Brad McClaren and Nathaniel Enloe, and equally strong running
games. The Panthers got solid performances from Jason Laney, Reuben Houston
and Drew Cofty last week, while Drew Furey and Josh Davis combined for
close to 200 yards in last week's game for the Tigers.
Panther coach Mike Earwood expects this to be a very physical game. "When
two teams from the same area play and it becomes a rivalry situation,
they seem to turn it up a notch," he said.
The Sandy Creek Patriots (0-1) face another tough squad Friday when
they host Oconee County (0-1). Oconee County was the AAA state champ last
year and barely lost its first game of this season. The Patriots have
a solid defense and an explosive offense that was frustrated last week
by Shaw. Look for Sandy Creek to play with a lot of emotion and to try
to take this one early.
The East Coweta Indians (0-0) finally get their season underway with a
game at Eagle's Landing (1-0). The Indians had an extra week to practice
after a mediocre jamboree against Northgate and Sandy Creek. They are
a young team but have some weapons on both sides of the ball and are gaining
confidence with each snap.
Eagle's Landing is a decent squad but last week's win over Union Grove
isn't very indicative. This is Union Grove's first year playing varsity
and the team is very young and inexperienced.
The Northgate Vikings (1-0) are looking to improve their offensive performance
this week and, though they are on the road, they shouldn't have a problem.
Their opponent is Union Grove (0-1). Last week, the Vikings defeated Macon
County (7-0), but need to execute better on offense. The team was without
running back Marlon Cruver last week, but has a talented backfield and
receiving corps. Look for all the pieces of the Northgate puzzle to fit
together this week.
Landmark Christian School (0-1) lost to the Wesleyan Wolves last week
but there are still many positives for the War Eagles. According to Coach
Fred Gilkeson, the defense played well, getting solid performances from
Wren Giddy, Luke Crow, Ben King and Ray Ross. The main problem for Landmark
was offensive drives stalling due to turnovers. This week the War Eagles
host Madison Academy, Ala.
(0-1), a team that likes to pass and will test the defensive backs of
any squad.
The McIntosh Chiefs have a bye this week and will use the extra time to
prepare for their game against the Morrow Mustangs. All kickoffs for this
Friday are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
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