Phoenix return home to host Rebels
Sonoraville aims to keep subregion momentum going
After heading north two weeks ago and south last Friday, the Sonoraville Phoenix return home this week to host Haralson County for a Region 6-AAA South subregion matchup on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The Phoenix (4-2, 1-0 subregion) are coming off three straight wins, including a big 49-21 victory at Ringgold two weeks ago and a gutsy 28-21 win at Bremen last Friday to open subregion play.
Sonoraville coach Jim Kremer said his team showed what kind of group they really are with their road win last Friday night.
“When you’re in a subregion with four other teams, every single one of them is big,” said Kremer. “Plus, beating a really good team at their place is another step in the right direction for us.
“We got excellent play out of a lot of guys, and I think all three phases contributed to that win. We also cut back on big penalties, and our kids held their composure in a hostile environment.”
The Phoenix made some big plays in the second half against Bremen, including their defense not allowing the Devils to score an offensive touchdown and coming up with a key turnover in the fourth quarter. Sonoraville’s rushing game was clutch as well as the two-headed monster of Tristan Key and Patrick Moore came up with big touchdown runs and first downs.
Sonoraville now turns their attention to a Haralson County team that struggled in their subregion opener last Friday against Calhoun. The Rebels (1-4, 0-1 subregion) come into town this week looking for an upset to turn their season around.
“Even though they have struggled a bit, they do have some nice- looking players on film,” said Kremer. “Coach (Frank) Vohun is a very experience coach, and they’re a hungry team. We’re not the kind of team that can take anyone lightly, and our goal should be to get getter every day, every practice, every week. We’ve also got to prepare for their Wing-T offense, which is something we haven’t seen yet.”
The Phoenix will likely once gain lean on the duo of Moore and Key to set the tone in the rushing game, and Moore has also made plays in the passing game the last few weeks, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Bailey Reece for the opening score of last Friday’s game against Bremen.
Kremer said Moore and Key have not only contributed with their production, but they are the kind of players their teammates rally around.
“Both of them would admit that it starts with those guys up front which have improved in the last few weeks,” said Kremer. “But they are two horses for us. They’re shifty runners and they are both smart, coachable, durable kids. All the kids respect Patrick and trust him at quarterback, and we lean on Tristan also. Both of them have bigplay ability, and their running also opens up the play-action pass for us.”
Friday will mark the first meeting between Sonoraville and Haralson County, and the Phoenix will likely be without two starters as the injury bug has hit them in recent weeks. Starting safety Josh McEntyre and starting H-back Tyler Lyles have both gone down in the last couple weeks, and the timetable for their return is unknown at this time.
Kremer said his team must focus on playing crisp, clean football on Friday night to continue their momentum in subregion play.