Rams face Razorbacks for homecoming tilt

After last week’s canceled game versus Magnolia, Lakeside is finally playing at home after being on the road several Fridays in a row

The Rams (3-2, 1-0 5A-South) focused on getting healthy and cleaning up errors as they prepared to welcome Texarkana (3-0, 1-0) to Chick Austin Field for homecoming.

“We were able to try to get healthy, fix up some mistakes from earlier in the year, and use it as a time to get better as a group,” said Lakeside head coach Jared McBride. “For us, it’s just to continue to get better on our tackling and throwing and catching the football. We really worked on the basic fundamentals that we need to win games.”

The Rams saw a low-scoring matchup against Camden Fairview on Sept. 25, but they managed to secure the victory as senior quarterback Will Ross completed 18 of 28 (64.3%) passes for 182 yards and picking up both of the team’s touchdowns for the night.

McBride noted the Rams and Razorbacks have similar styles of play, so his team will need to maintain plenty of focus to come out on top.

“I think it’s going to be a tough, physical football game,” he explained. “We play a lot alike, and we both have good defenses. We have the opportunity to put points on the board but need to put it all together to do that. Both have been pretty low scoring games throughout the year, and we’re going to have to play well in all three facets of the game just to be able to compete.”

Senior quarterback Braylon Bishop and senior running back Torie Blair are key playmakers Lakeside will need to keep a close watch on.

“You’ve got to pay attention to the quarterback (and) the running back,” McBride said. “Probably the best duo that we’ll see throughout the year. Very talented ( and) dynamic football players. We’ll have to tackle well and help the quarterback to turn it over a little bit.”

The Rams overall team health is positive as all starters will be taking the field.

“We’re excited about a chance to play at home,” he said. “We haven’t played at home since Week 0, so it’s been awhile. We’re excited about a home football game, homecoming and the chance to play again. We’re healthy. We’re as healthy as we can be, and hopefully we’ll stay that way. Looking forward to a good football game.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. tonight.