Phoenix go on road for another game in wild series
After cruising to a 46-3 victory against the LFO Warriors to cap a triumphant Homecoming Week, the Sonoraville Phoenix look to carry the momentum into a rigorous road clash against the Ringgold Tigers.
During what turned out to be an injury-shortened game which had to be called in the third quarter, the Phoenix (22) displayed flashes of a smooth, chain-moving offense and punishing defense.
The Sonoraville offensive attack flowed primarily through quarterback Patrick Moore. Moore went 7-for-15 for 88 yards through the air and amassed 129 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Phoenix offense compiled 319 yards of total offense before the game ended early.
Sonoraville’s defense remained stout and opportunistic, holding the Warriors to 66 total yards of offense and corralling two botched snaps into the endzone for touchdowns.
Phoenix head coach Jim Kremer said he views the win as a step in the right direction for the team on both sides of the ball.
“I was pleased overall with what I observed, and I think we made a lot of strides that night,” Kremer said. “I think it was a really nice win for us after a tough schedule of games, and it has prepared us for what’s to come.”
However, Kremer notes there are still some kinks to work out in the turnover department in practice this week before squaring off against the Tigers (2-2).
“We just have to work on protecting the ball,” Kremer said. “We have to continue executing without turning the ball over in preparation for a tough game.”
Friday will bring another test for Sonoraville, who has had mixed results against the Tigers in the past. Ringgold boasts an alltime record 3-1-0 against Sonoraville.
Despite the success of the Tigers when facing the Phoenix, Ringgold remains a place that they are confident traveling to.
“They have a great program, and we know we are always going to get their best,” Kremer said.
“But we are comfortable playing there, and every time we try to get there early and make it feel like a home field for us.”
Part of that comfort stems from the fact that the Phoenix most recently claimed victory in the series when the two teams met last season.
Sonoraville collected a nail-biting 41-33 win over the Tigers on the shoulders of former quarterback Cody Long’s 379 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns and former running back Hunter Lay’s two touchdowns and 242 rushing yards.
The Phoenix might need a similar stellar offensive performance to top the Tigers on Friday. Despite a couple of close losses, Ringgold has averaged over 46 points per game this season.
To accomplish that feat, Kremer acknowledges his team can’t hand Ringgold any easy points.
“We have to show good ball security against a team like this….we can’t give them any free points,” Kremer said. “To beat a team like that you have to limit your mistakes.”
If Sonoraville does indeed manage to cut down on its mistakes and is able to move the ball like it did against LFO, this game has the potential of becoming an unpredictable shootout and back-and-forth affair.
No matter what it reads on the scoreboard though, Kremer said he is just looking for the team to continue the progress it has made during its previous tough slate of games.
“We are still a young team, so I’m just looking for us to improve every game,” Kremer said. “Friday’s game is the most important game of the season because it’s the next game.”
Prediction:
Both Ringgold and Sonoraville boast a potentially potent offense, so this one could go either way. However, the edge goes to Sonoraville’s defense to remain disruptive and opportunistic. Look for the Phoenix to continue improving as the schedule heads into the most crucial stretch.
Sonoraville
Score:
wins, 38-36.