Sardis (1-2, 0-2) at Hokes Bluff (2-1, 2-0)
Last week: Hokes Bluff 22, Crossville 14; Jacksonville 23, Sardis 7
Last meeting: Hokes Bluff 24, Sardis 14 (2007)
Series record: Hokes Bluff leads 26-16-2
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
It may look more like a junior varsity game tonight (Sept. 19) in Hokes Bluff, but it will be the varsities playing when these teams meet, as both teams are using a lot of younger players this season.
“We’re both trying to get them past their growing pains,” Hokes Bluff coach Mike Robertson said. “Hopefully, this bodes well for the next couple of years.”
One problem with playing younger players is that it hurts your depth, as they are normally the backups.
“We have no depth anywhere,” Sardis coach Gene Hill said. “We need to stay healthy to have a chance.”
Hokes Bluff is on a modest two-game winning streak and would like nothing better than to add to that streak.
“We’ve won a couple that we thought we should win,” Robertson said. “But now we’re about to get in the teeth of our schedule. The early wins were good for morale but we’ll be tested – starting this week.”
As far as Hill is concerned, Hokes Bluff is part of the teeth of his team’s schedule.
“They’ve shown they are physical and know how to win,” he said. “It’ll take a big effort on our part to beat them.”
For the Eagles last week against Crossville, Cam Dow-dy rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Landon Johnson was 8-for-12 in passing for 100 yards and two scores.
Phillip Ward caught three passes for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Trey Hutchins had three receptions for 30 yards.
Noah Click finished with 22 tackles, followed by Fisher Simmons with eight and Hayes Evans and Corey Jarrells with seven each.
For the Lions against Jacksonville, Jesse Hubbard led the Lions with 60 yards rushing on 19 carries.