Cobras go to Smackover with confidence
FOUNTAIN LAKE — With a grueling stretch in conference play looming, Fountain Lake coach J.D. Plumlee remains focused on the task at hand.
Fresh off a 35-7 rout of Haskell Harmony Grove, the Cobras travel to Smackover Friday night for a matchup between 1-1 teams.
“Smackover has some really good, dynamic players that are explosive,” Plumlee said. “We’re going to have to do a good job getting them on the ground, and we have to continue to take care of the ball. With the athletes they have, Smackover is going to be a great test leading into our conference.”
After a season-opening win over Camden Harmony Grove, Smackover was humbled in a 49-21 loss at Harding Academy. The Buckaroos surrendered 398 yards through the air and turned the ball over four times.
“I know they’re coming off a loss so they’re eager to get back out there and fix their mistakes,” said Plumlee. “It’s another road test for us to travel and take care of business. I’m excited and looking forward to continuing to grow.”
With 586 yards and seven touchdowns through the first two games, senior quarterback Stephen Turner has thrived in the Cobras’ new-look Spread offense. The first year starter tossed four touchdowns against Harmony Grove.
“He’s so coachable; he stays within himself and understands the scheme and what we’re asking him to do,” Plumlee said. “A lot of it has to do with the fact that he comes to practice every day focused and wanting to learn. He wants the team to be successful and isn’t worried about getting all the glory.”
Combining for 253 receiving yards, Ahman and Parion Johnson proved a lethal duo on the outside against the Cardinals. With both averaging more than 20 yards per catch, Plumlee knows their speed could go a long way against an athletic Smackover secondary.
“It’s just a matter of getting the athletes the ball in space and being creative with how we do that,” he said.
With five players rushing for 84 yards on 18 carries, Fountain Lake employed a backfield committee against Harmony Grove. As junior Andrew Roberson works his way back from an ankle injury, Plumlee expects the rushing attack to lean on Roberson along with juniors Kyle Fortner and Dylan Wasson.
“I think we’ll zero back in on our main three guys getting the brunt of the carries,” said Plumlee. “We do that by design, because those guys play defense, too, so we’re trying to keep everybody fresh. All of that varies on how the defense is playing us and what we’re needing to do.”
While the offense garners much of the attention, the Cobra defense made a statement last week. Facing a senior quarterback and a team with playoff aspirations, Fountain Lake held the Cardinals to 176 yards and without a touchdown until the final three minutes of the fourth quarter.
Colson Simpson notched a teamhigh six tackles while Joe Murphy recorded five stops and returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown on the first possession of the game.
Facing a Smackover offense that fumbled three times and threw an interception last week, the Cobras could be in line for another standout performance defensively.
“Our defensive staff did an unbelievable job of getting those guys back in here last week and really focusing on the details,” Plumlee said. “Coach (Paul) Calley and those guys do a great job at Benton Harmony Grove and we were worried about their passing game and their quarterback. As far as confidence, that game should help us against Smackover and down the road.”