Sardis (0-1) at Locust Fork (0-1)
Last week: Sylvania 35, Sardis 28; New Hope 45, Locust Fork 26
Last meeting: Have never met
By Gene Stanley/Messenger Sports Correspondent
There are some big obstacles in front of Sardis in Class 4A, Region 6. But this week shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the Lions.
Sardis opens region play tonight (Sept. 7) by visiting Locust Fork, which hasn’t had a winning season since 2002. That year was also the Hornets last playoff appearance.
Mike Bramblett enters his second season as top Hornet, following a 1-9 campaign in 2011.
Bramblett’s son, Geoffrey, is the quarterback and the team’s main playmaker.
“They’ll throw the ball 40 or 50 times a game,” Sardis coach Gene Hill said. “We’ve got to concentrate on not giving up big plays like we did last week.”
In last week’s loss to Sylvania, the Lions gave up three 40-plus touchdown plays.
“They caught us not playing our assignments,” Hill said. “This is something we need to work on. We need to make them have to drive the ball.”
The Hornets aren’t as accomplished at driving as they are at using the long ball. Most of their running plays are also designed for the quarterback to make yardage.
Geoffrey Bramblett completed 28-of-46 passes for 340 yards while rushing for 89 more yards last week. Clay Smith caught nine passes for 161 yards.
When the Lions have the ball, Hill would like to see more finishes.
“We scored 20 points last week but it could’ve been more if we had finished drives,” Hill said. “That’s another area of concern.”
Senior running back Toby Pee accounted for all four of the Lions’ touchdowns last week, running for three scored and throwing for another. He finished with 208 yards on 30 carries.