Chargers seek answers in matchup with Wildcats
With all the uncertainties that 2020 has brought, add Choctaw County coach Jeff Roberts to the list of people looking for answers.
He led his team to a Class 3A, Region 4 championship in year one when he produced an undefeated season in district play and 10-straight wins until it lost in the north state championship game. There are big pieces returning from that team, but bigger questions around the bigger boys up front.
“We’re going to have to develop a little bit on the offensive line,” Roberts said. “We graduated all of our guys last year with the exception of Brandon Merritt and Mooka Hardin as second string guys. I expect those two to step up in those roles and there are a couple of older guys that will get their chance to step in. We know who the receivers, the quarterbacks and the running backs are going to be, so finding the right mesh on the line is crucial.”
The fact that the Chargers weren’t able to play last week in their jamboree against Pontotoc probably has a little more stress on the brain for Roberts as they’re about to be tested right away. One of the contenders in Class 2A every season is on the docket on night one tonight as Choctaw County will host Calhoun City.
Last year, the Chargers had the Wildcats where it wanted them and came up short in a 24-21 loss. They’ll have a chance to get some revenge tonight, but that offensive line will have to grow up in a hurry as the Wildcats are always a stingy defensive team. There’s plenty of talent at the skilled positions and the Chargers will be solid on defense this year as well it seems.
The difference between competing in the division and competing for a state title appear to reside with the blockers.
Eupora at
French Camp Academy
It was a rough season in many ways for the Eupora Eagles last year, but they’re coming out of it strong.
The Eagles played a brutal schedule in non-conference and Class 2A, Region 2, but they managed to get a couple of division wins and they scored a playoff win as well. The non-conference slate will challenge them again this year with Union, Kemper County and Pisgah on the slate after this week one matchup with French Camp Academy.
Europe head coach Stephen Edwards got to see a little bit of his team in a live situation last week when it traveled to Noxapater and got a 7-0 win in a timed scrimmage, but this one counts this week. Having experience going up against the Panthers, he knows what kid of team he’ll be facing.
“We’re just going out there and competing this week. We’ve got to try to control things up front and
try to make that improvement,” Edwards said. “French Camp is always going to be well-coached and it all starts with that quarterback (Calvin Johnson) committed to Navy. Him scrambling is one of the scariest things for me and they’re big up front. If we don’t play well, we’re going to get beat.”
The Panthers were the only nonconference win last year for the Eagles so they need to grab this one to get a good start to the season. With Union up next week, a victory would go a long way in getting the confidence level up.
East Webster at Vardaman
Last Friday’s offensive performance against Kosciusko in a scrimmage didn’t live up to Ron Price’s expectations, but it’s important to note that quarterback Steven Betts and running back Tyrik Pittman were both absent on that side of the football.
While it remains to be seen that Betts plays in game one, the offense should be noticeably better against
Vardaman, which is coming off of a winless season. Still, the Wolverines shouldn’t take anyone lightly if they’re wanting to compete for championships this season.
Expectations are high for everyone in Cumberland and especially for Price who is trying to get his seniors to the state title game. East Webster needs Betts to do it, but the defense might have to carry the Wolverines early on as they get the offensive line figured out after losing several starters.
With Choctaw County coming up next week for East Webster, it has got to get the kinks worked out quick.