Fyffe (2-0, 1-0) at West End (0-2, 0-1)
Last week: Ider 37, West End 14; Fyffe 35, Westbrook 14
Last meeting: 2011 – Fyffe 54, West End 14
Series record: Fyffe 4, West End 1
By Gene Stanley/Messenger Sports Correspondent
There’s not much you can say when you’re guiding a struggling team and it is the week to play Fyffe.
That’s the case this week for Randy Hallmark as West End hosts the perennially stout Red Devils, currently ranked No. 4 in 2A.
“They’re a typical Fyffe team,” said the Patriots’ coach. “They’ve got good speed, they’re physical and they’re very versatile – things you come to expect from any Fyffe team.”
Besides trying to find a way to beat the Red Devils, Hallmark is using that program as a hallmark of what he wants to achieve in coming years.
“I want us to get to that level,” he said of Fyffe’s program. “I want us to be where we win consistently, because on top of other benefits, it draws more kids into the team. More [kids] will come out for a winning team.”
For those with short memories, Hallmark had that type of program at West End a few years back. From 1990-97, Hallmark accumulated a 64-26 record and guided the Patriots the playoffs in six of his eight seasons. From 1993-95, West End went undefeated until the playoffs.
But this season, everything is a struggle, especially at this point early in the season.
“We’re trying to get better, week-to-week,” he said. “And I think we did get better last week. Our depth is still a problem, especially on the line. But that’s high school football. You take what you’re handed.”
Hallmark has pulled some freshmen up to play on the varsity as needed.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are once again beating all comers and Hallmark hopes his team will play its best and grab a win.
Last week against Ider, Brett McCurry rushed five times for -63 yards, while Chase Blanton gained 56 yards on18 carries.
Levi Weems completed 6-of-14 passes for 98 yards, while Timothy Parker caught three passes for 53 yards.
