Michael Bradley hopes one drive will help bring his team into focus.
Last week, the Trojans executed what Bradley called “probably the best drive of the season” with about four minutes remaining to seal a 28-0 victory against Caledonia.
Bradley was so pleased with the drive because it mixed the run and the pass and showed how effective the Trojans can be when they execute.
“That last drive when we scored was a close to as consistent as we have been this season,” Bradley said.
Bradley hopes New Hope can build on that drive at 7:30 tonight when it takes on Saltillo in its Class 5A, Region 1 opener.
New Hope’s shutout last week was its fourth straight against Caledonia. It also extended the Trojans’ winning streak in the series to seven.
“I thought our defense played really well,” Bradley said. “We ran to the ball really well and we tackled better than we tackled this season. I was really proud of the way the defense played. Caledonia had been averaging more than 30 points a game.”
But Bradley knows his team can put aside its 2-2 non-district record and prepare a clean slate for the rest of the season. Still banged up with an assortment of injuries, Bradley anticipates a challenge tonight against a talented team with plenty of weapons on offense that is coached by former Amory High head coach Pat Byrd.
“They are a very sound team,” Bradley said. “Coach Byrd is always going to have a team that is disciplined and that plays hard. They are going to precise and they are going to going to execute.
“Their offense is really good. They have a real good quarterback and a couple of good receivers. They can throw and catch the ball as good as any team we have seen this year.”
Bradley hopes opponents will start to say that about his team as more of his players return to 100 percent. He said senior running back Darius Petty, who was limited in his return to the field last week, is closer to 100 percent and will play tonight.
“He got tired of watching,” Bradley said. “Darius is a very versatile player who gives us the ability to do a lot of things on offense that we can’t do without him.”
Bradley said senior linebacker Joseph Reeves and senior Todd Harris also aren’t 100 percent but are expected to play against Saltillo. Sophomore E.J. Jenkins, who started the season at quarterback and was moved to athlete to accommodate for freshman quarterback Davis, remains out indefinitely after suffering a concussion.
Bradley said offensive lineman Jace Caldwell and senior “Roc” Carr also are out.
“You never know how one game affects the next one,” Bradley said. “We had a good week of practice, but we are still searching for a little offensive rhythm. We haven’t really found that yet. Part of that is due to the fact we have so many injured players in so many different places.”
Despite the injuries, Bradley said New Hope limited its mistakes and made plays against Caledonia. He isn’t ready to take his team dancing yet, but he feels the players are more confident in their steps and are ready to move forward.
“A lot of time it is about execution and rhythm,” Bradley said. “Sometimes we look like a guy who has never had a dance lesson and is trying to do the Texas Two-Step.
“Hopefully we’re going to find ourselves at the right time. We have played some pretty dang good competition, and you always have to factor in there what the other team is doing.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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