Pardon the players and coaches at Columbus and West Point high schools if they feel like the 2011 season is going in slow motion.
Each team had an atypical open date last week in the second week of the season. They will get back to action at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Falcon Field in Columbus.
“I”m not really sure what to make of the open date so early in the season,” Columbus coach Tony Stanford said. “What I know for sure is we are going to play a football game for at least the next 10 Fridays. I am excited about that.”
Columbus will try to build on a season-opening 31-14 win at Aberdeen, while West Point will look to bounce back from a 37-17 home loss to South Panola.
“We learned you have to hang onto the football,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “We had some issues in tackling and blocking. I thought our effort was great. We played hard, but we didn”t play mistake-free.”
Both coaches said the unique schedule set-up gave them more time to focus on themselves.
“We have had two really good weeks of practice,” Stanford said. “What we learned in our first game is how physical you have to play on defense. That is what we have worked on in practice. We have worked on being more physical and more aggressive.
“The kids have really responded. We need them to play more physical like that, or it is going to be a long year.”
West Point also spent a lot of time working on its technique and fundamentals.
“Last week was all about us,” Chambless said. “We worked on being more aggressive. We addressed some of the things we didn”t well in the first game. We have a young team. Thus, last week was a really good teaching opportunity.”
After winning four games last season, Columbus turned some heads after securing its third straight victory against Aberdeen, the two-time Class 3A runner-up. Columbus forced four turnovers, including two on back-to-back possessions midway through the second quarter. Those mistakes allowed the Falcons to erase an early 8-0 deficit and take a 17-8 halftime lead.
“We played a rubber band defense,” Stanford said. “We were able to bend, but we didn”t break. We started off slow, but once we got started we played well. In the second half, our depth was a big factor. We had a couple of ball-control drives and really wore them down.”
Damian Baker had a pair of rushing touchdowns, while Quan Latham also had an 86-yard fumble return for a touchdown in the second quarter.
One night later, the two-time defending Class 5A state champion West Point lost to the two-time defending Class 6A state champion South Panola in an emotionally packed game before a standing-room only crowd in West Point.
“It was a good test for the opener,” Chambless said. “You learn and move on. It is important you don”t let the team dwell on it. Our focus this week has been Columbus. We made some mistakes in the first game. I think our kids are ready to play and see if they can rise to the challenge of improving.”
The Green Wave allowed a last-minute touchdown in the first half that allowed the Tigers to take the lead for good, 21-14. West Point failed to convert on several trips into the red zone and then committed two turnovers that helped account for the final margin.
Both coaches find similarities in their opponent Friday.
“They have a group of guys who have played together for quite some time,” Chambless said. “Experience is an advantage. They are physical and big up front. Our challenge will be to create consistency early in the game.”
Stanford also sees a physical, quick opponent when he watches West Point. Fortunately for Columbus, the contest is at home.
“The first home game of the year is always exciting,” Stanford said. “There is a lot of buildup and anticipation. We are looking forward to seeing if we can continue what we did in our opener.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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