Rochelle —
The game that fans in Wilcox and Charlton counties have been pointing to for weeks is finally at hand. And boy does it ever figure to be a doozie.
The rankings and the statistics indicate the teams are about as evenly matched as possible. Fifth-ranked Wilcox checks in with averages of 43.8 points offensively and 8.3 defensively. Sixth-ranked Charlton enters at a 38.8 clip offensively and 9.0 defensively.
For further proof that an even-Steven game lies ahead, the two teams fared almost identically against the two common opponents they’ve faced to date. Lanier lost 37-7 to Wilcox and 33-0 to Charlton. Atkinson bowed 48-0 to the Patriots and 42-0 to the Indians.
“It’s shaping up to be quite a showdown that will go an awfully long way in determining the champion of our region (2-A),” said Wilcox High coach Mark Ledford.
“Their offensive line will be the best we’ve seen this season and the same holds true about their defensive front as they have really good size and seem to be very strong physically on both sides of the football.”
Ledford is quick to acknowledge, too, that the Indians have a superb individual performer in Tre’ Hamilton who in his team’s 24-6 victory over Turner County this past Friday rushed for 234 yards and three touchdowns. His season totals to date are 885 yards and 16 TDs.
“He’s greased lightning — the guy their offense is built around,” Ledford said. “Whether he’s at tailback when they line up in I-formation or in the shotgun by himself, he’ll be running the ball about 80 percent of the time.
“He’s also used a wide receiver and a return man on kickoffs and punts. They may even let him sell tickets before the game, too, as he can do it all. He’s definitely the one we’ve got to try and stop first although they’ve got another good runner in Caleb Smith.
“Because of their line and the guys who run so well, they’re predominantly run but we can’t just forget about their passing attack as on the few occasions they do put the ball in the air, they’ve got a couple of talented receivers in Donovan Bolden and Jerome Southall.”
When it comes to the defensive outlook for the Indians, Ledford said he anticipates seeing them in either a 4- or 5-man front depending upon the formation being shown by Wilcox on a particular play.
“Up front, they’re an attacking, very aggressive bunch while in the secondary they play a lot of man coverage,” Ledford said. “With his size (230 pounds) and strength, nose guard Timothy Wescott has been a terror for opposing centers and guards.
“They’ve also got a big, strong returning tackle in Cody Wildes, some linebackers who fly to the ball and a very athletic secondary.”
In the area of special teams play, the Wilcox coach said Hamilton is such a threat returning punts and kickoffs that the Patriots’ coverage teams “must be extremely sharp or else he’ll be in the end zone in just a few seconds.”
Queried as to what else his squad must do to improve its chances of winning the battle, Ledford said with the game being played in a hostile environment staying focused is a key.
“We’re going to be playing a team that has a lot of pride and tradition, a team that’s going to be looking for revenge (Wilcox beat it 32-12 in 2010) and on top of that a team that’s observing homecoming. That means they’re going to be pretty spirited and we need to be the same.
“I’m sure there will be some adversity during the game but then how to handle adversity is one of the things football is all about. I think the team that stays focused best will likely be the one that wins.
“As big as this one is, we can’t make it too big in our minds. We’ve just got to go down there and play solid like we’ve been doing.”
Note: Counting last year’s 20-point win over Charlton, Wilcox holds a slim 3-2 series edge.
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Wilcox-Charlton Region 2-A showdown on tap
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