Dragons cross state line for Mineral Springs
Sports Editor
They’re expecting trench warfare in Mineral Springs tonight when Redwater crosses the state boundry to challenge the Hornets.
“Their offense can give you fits; we haven’t faced anything similar since playing Spring Hill last year,” Hornet mentor Nick Evans said. “They can move the ball up and down the field on the ground. I think both teams match up well with each other.”
Both teams have first-year head coaches who were promoted and changed little. The most obvious advantage is Redwater’s numbers—not necessarily on the field, but school enrollments. Mineral Springs is the smallest football playing school in Arkansas.
That’s deceiving according to Dragon coach Tommy Graf.
“They’re extremely athletic,” he said. “Their front is very physical. We’ve got to execute and hang on to the ball to compete. We’ve got to stop saying, and do it. If we cut down on turnovers and control the clock I like our chances.”
Defensively, the Dragons must slow down the Hornets’ biggest threat, Rashad Williams, who is closing in on 5,000 yards rushing for his career.
“We may have a speed advantage, it’s hard to tell,” Evans said. “We know Redwater plays quality competition. They may only have 28 players on varsity, but they’ve got a junior varsity team and we don’t.”
It only gets tougher for both teams next week when they begin league play. The Hornets face preseason favorite Gurdon, while Redwater entertains Daingerfield.
In other Northeast Texas action tonight, unbeaten New Boston travels to Paris to play North Lamar, Gladewater visits Atlanta, Kilgore invades Mount Pleasant, and Gilmer goes on the road to Daingerfield.
Clarksville has a long trip to Grapevine Faith Christian, Queen City’s perfect record will be in jeopardy at Waskom, Hooks treks to Jefferson, and Maud hosts Beckville.
James Bowie’s game at Union Hill has been postponed until Oct. 5 because the host team did not have enough players to compete this week.
Northeast Texas Schedule
Tonight Beckville (1-2) at Maud (2-1) Clarksville (1-2) at Grapevine Faith Christian Gilmer (2-1) at Daingerfield (2-1) Gladewater (3-0) at Atlanta (0-3) Kilgore (3-0) at Mount Pleasant (3-0) New Boston (3-0) at North Lamar (2-1) Queen City (3-0) at Waskom (3-0) Redwater (1-2) at Mineral Springs (1-1) Saturday Apple Springs at Bloomburg (0-2)