By By BRUCE HIXON – Sports Editor
Things may not have reached a point where the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles face a must-win situation Friday when they host the Slocomb Red Tops in a Class 3A Region 1 game at 7 p.m.
The Blue Eagles fell to 0-2 overall last week when they were bounced by Pike County 34-7 in the Region 1 opener. Meanwhile Slocomb has gotten off to a 2-0 start, 1-0 in region play. The Red Tops blanked Geneva County 20-0 in week one and opened region play last week with a 13-6 triumph over Headland.
One familiar playmaker and one new playmaker have sparked the Red Tops, who have a new coach this season in former Slocomb assistant Jeff Mitchell.
Quarterback Justin Myles (5-11, 200 lb. sr.) has completed 14 of 24 passes for 266 yards so far.
Running back Jermaine Williams (5-6, 150 lb. fresh) has made a quick impact and has racked up 183 yards rushing on just 13 attempts, a stunning 14.1 yards per attempt average.
One of Slocomb's smallest players, defensive back Brett Singletary (5-7, 160 lb. sr.), has been one of the biggest cogs on a defense that has allowed just six points so far.
W.S. Neal's success may hinge on how well it can get its running game going. The Blue Eagles have managed just 26 yards rushing in two games. That included a minus five
rushing yards against Pike County.
these first two weeks, but a team can't be one-dimensional. We've put ourselves in too many third and long situations and the conversion rate isn't going to be very good when you're constantly in that spot," Hathcock said.
Another obstacle W.S. Neal is facing is health. Linebacker Bobby Freeman is most likely out this week with a shoulder injury. Linebacker/tight end Dewayne Floyd and tackle Jeremy Brazile are also nursing shoulder injuries and their status for Friday is uncertain.