Rams expect to ‘answer bell’ early
For the third time in as many years, Lakeside ushers in a new football season at the same venue it would like to end the season.
The Rams face Class 4A Joe T. Robinson at 5 p.m. Monday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, the site for the state championship in all classifications.
After a humbling 51-28 loss to the Senators last year, Lakeside coach Jared McBride believes his team is more prepared for this matchup. (Two years ago, the Rams rallied to beat Class 7A Little Rock Central and went on to share the 5A-South title.)
“I think just the overall experience of the game, the magnitude and the venue were all important for us last year to get that under our belt,” McBride said. “We didn’t answer the bell last year for sure, but I think that helped propel us to a decent season. This year, we should be a little better prepared going into week one.”
If last year’s game was any indication, the opening quarter could make or break the Rams. Falling behind 24-0 in the first nine minutes, Lakeside never recovered as Robinson, with a 51-14 lead, enacted the mercy rule by halftime.
“We talk about (a good start)
a lot, and we talk about that every week really,” said McBride. “We turned the ball over and weren’t productive on offense early. They got a couple of touchdowns and we didn’t answer back. It does mean a lot to us to get started on the right track this time.”
Thrust into a surprise start as a sophomore in last season’s matchup with the Senators, Lakeside quarterback Taylor Gilham has a better grasp of the offense after spending the entire offseason atop the depth chart.
The junior passed for 682 yards and five touchdowns in a limited role last season, adding 99 yards and three scores on the ground.
“I think he has a better understanding of his role with our group,” McBride said. “He’s the leader of our group, and he’ll be ready to play. It was a little bit shocking for him last year, and rightfully so; it was for a lot of our young guys.”
While Gilham eyes a breakout performance, senior running back Dupree Swanson looks to pick up where he left off. Swanson erupted for 1,494 yards and 23 touchdowns to earn all-state honors.
With Swanson and classmate Michael James (537 yards, seven touchdowns in 2016) forming a one-two punch in the backfield, McBride believes the running game can be a difference maker as the Rams look to keep Robinson’s potent offense on the sidelines.
“That would fit well into our game plan,” said McBride. “I tell them every day, if we can run the ball effectively, we’ll have a chance to win that ballgame. We would like to be able to control the ball, control the clock and then just play a solid game around that.”
Despite the loss of six starters, including current Arkansas Razorback Koilan Jackson, the Senators boast a lethal offense with the potential to score from anywhere on the field.
Ranked as the state’s top recruit by Hooten’s Arkansas Football, receiver Nathan Page headlines a deep stable of weapons for Robinson. The senior had 45 catches for 1,118 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He holds offers from Arkansas State, Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana Tech.
“I think for us defensively, it’s going to come down to changing up our looks,” McBride said. “When they’re comfortable and they know where you are, they’re really effective. They’re fast and they’re going to make plays, but we’ve got to change up our looks and tackle a little bit better.”
With junior quarterback Greyson Tackett making his first start under center, McBride envisions an opportunity to rattle the young signal caller in the same way the Senators shook Gilham a year ago.
“We hope so; for us to get a little pressure on him sure would help,” said McBride.
Lakeside’s season-opening loss last season sent the team to an 0-3 start in non-conference play. While the Rams rebounded to finish 6-4 and earn a share of the 5A-South title, McBride knows a win Monday could spark his team in the right direction.
“It sets things up well for us; we want to be productive in the first week,” McBride said. “I think in the history that I’ve been here, we’ve been pretty good in week one. We’re looking forward to competing and finding out a little bit more about our team.”