CALEDONIA — “There is no going back.”
Caledonia football coach Andy Crotwell couldn’t have said it better when asked if his team’s game against Houston at 7 tonight was any different than the first five this season.
As the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A, Region 4 opener for both teams, the game won’t guarantee Caledonia (3-2) or Houston (5-1) a spot in the top four in the region and a berth in the playoffs. But judging from the results this season and in past years, the region opener will set the three winners this week on the right path to achieving that goal.
Crotwell knows that, as does an experienced group of seniors that is trying to lead the Confederates back to the postseason. In 2014, Caledonia edged Houston 28-27. That victory was part of 3-2 region finish that saw Caledonia beat West Lauderdale (34-28) and Leake Central (35-28) and helped it get back to the playoffs. A year ago, Caledonia lost to Houston 39-7. The loss was part of a four-game losing streak to open region play that denied the Confederates a chance to extend their season.
“We’re to the point of the season now that we’re trying that ride the line between preparation and getting legs back,” Crotwell said. “There is certainly more to this one than any of the ones leading up to it.”
Caledonia built momentum for this week’s game with a 49-6 victory against Tishomingo County. The victory came on the heels of a 49-10 loss to New Hope. Crotwell said he always stresses not getting too high or too low, so he feels his team is in the right place for the region opener. Getting into the team’s new field house last Thursday has given the players a lift, but Crotwell doesn’t feel it will be a distraction tonight.
“It certainly ups our energy level some,” Crotwell said. “I have to run the kids off the turf (in the back of the field house) to go to practice, but I think there still is a level of the newness of the building. The important thing is not to let that become too much of a distraction and to focus on the job we have ahead of us, which is playing a very good Houston team.”
Houston is coming off a 30-7 victory against Eupora. The victory helped move Houston into the No. 5. position in The Associated Press’ Mississippi Prep Football poll this week. Two-time reigning Class 4A State champion Noxubee County, which also plays in Region 4, slipped to also receiving votes in the poll after a 26-21 loss to Kemper County.
Crotwell said Houston has plenty of team speed and weapons at the skill positions to make tonight’s game a challenge. He said the Toppers will mix coverages and try to use their team speed to bring pressure in a variety of ways. He said Houston will spread the field and run the football. After watching plenty o film to prepare for the game, Crotwell said Houston has improved since the beginning of the season.
When looking at his team, Crotwell said the Confederates are more comfortable on defense after having to make some position changes due to injuries. On offense, Crotwell said the challenge is to execute more consistently.
“We want to execute more efficiently and crisper and with more certainty in what we’re doing,” Crotwell said. “Those things appear to make you play faster, and you probably do play faster when you do those things.”
Crotwell said Caledonia has been working on running routes with better technique and how to apply their blocking rules up front. On defense, he said the Confederates hope the work they have put in to improve their reads will help them get off to a positive first step in what should be a very close region race.
Judging from past seasons, Crotwell feels his team will be ready.
“I think our guys are so even keel,” Crotwell said. “They’re going to play as hard as they can and they’re going to prepare. I don’t know if that aspect of who we are ever changes, regardless of whether we win big or lose. I think that is the way you want to be. They understand the significance of the game, but they also understand the season won’t end Friday with a win or a loss. They are in it for the long haul.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.