Tigers, Bears to face off in clash of unbeatens
DEKALB, Texas— When Linden-Kildare takes on DeKalb, both head coaches have a similar goal in mind.
Tigers’ head coach Derek Simmons and Bears’ head coach Eddy May are looking to try to stop each other’s running back.
Linden-Kildare takes on DeKalb today at 7:30 p.m. in a matchup of unbeatens.
The Tigers (3-0) have wins over Harleton, Clarksville, and Queen City, while the Bears (3-0) have defeated Prairiland, New Boston and Maud.
“It’s a big game, and both teams are doing things right at this point in the season,” Simmons said. “We are just trying to get better each week. We had our best defensive game last week, but I don’t feel like we’ve had our best offensive game yet.
“It’s going to be a big challenge for us to try to stop Jaquan Jackson. They rely on him for so much, and he’s a threat to go the distance anytime. But they do have other good players.” Jackson is the rushing leader in the Texarkana area with 751 yards on 60 carries and 12 touchdowns for the Bears. Jackson averages 12.5 yards per touch.
Linden-Kildare’s LaDavion Johnson is second to Jackson in the area and has rushed for 624 yards on 60 carries for an average of 10.4 yards per tote. Johnson has seven touchdowns thus far.
“The Tigers have two good running backs that we’ll have to try to stop,” May said. “It will be a tough, physical matchup. On offense, we just need to continue to block and give Jaquan (Jackson) a chance to find gaps.
“I would like to see us start faster. Last week we had a slow start. I would like to see the kids play hard from the opening kickoff and be the ones to bring the game to the other team.”
The other running back that May referred to is the Tigers’ Ja’Kevian Rose. Rose averages 9.2 yards per carry and has totaled 156 yards on just 17 totes.