PRC determined to improve against Poplarville
Published 7:00 am Thursday, August 24, 2017
Louis Reece takes on multiple defenders down the left sideline during previous action.
Kobe Whitehead, 6, wrestles down a Hancock running back in previous action.
QB Tristan Anderson peels out of the pocket to gain positive yardage in PRC’s season opener against Hancock.
CARRIERE — The Pearl River Central Blue Devils started the 2017 season on the wrong foot by being shut out by the Hancock Hawks in a 35-0 loss. Despite the hiccup, the Blue Devils are determined to regain their footing prior to Friday’s game against the Poplarville Hornets.
“Game one is over with. If we worry about that game and not the next 10 ahead of us, we won’t do well,” PRC Head Coach Larry Dolan said.
Dolan said his team is using the early season games to dial in on what needs to improve so they are efficient by the time division play starts in five weeks.
Injuries were a major concern for the Blue Devils coming into the season, but fortunately those concerns have diminished, for the most part.
Because of a hamstring injury, senior quarterback Tristan Anderson did not start Friday’s bout against Hancock, but the quarterback felt healthy enough to make an appearance later in the game, showing his versatility as an accurate passer and a quick runner.
Louis Reece was also a concern ahead of the 2017 season after suffering an ACL tear during the summer. Although he might not be fully recovered, Dolan said Reece was close Friday night.
“He’s our guy and we want to do whatever we can to protect him,” Dolan said. “Louis looked great and we hope he’ll continue to get better to help carry some of the load for this team.”
The Blue Devils had numerous opportunities to change the momentum of last Friday’s game against Hancock, but failed to capitalize on those chances. Ahead of Friday’s game, PRC’s focal point will be to work on finishing drives and capitalizing on opportunities in the red zone.
“Our schedule is only getting tougher, but we are getting better after every game,” Dolan said.
Bad weather kept the Blue Devils from getting into tip-top shape prior to the start of the season, Dolan said, but now that the team has gotten through game one, he hopes the Blue Devils will improve the rest of the season.
“We control our own destiny,” he said.
PRC will travel to Poplarville to take on the Hornets for the 58th time in school history Friday night.
Kickoff is scheduled to be at 7 p.m.
