After tying their win total from last season and their win total from the last two years combined, the W.S. Neal Eagle football team looks to continue their win streak this week when they travel to Straughn for their first region game of the year.
W.S. Neal Eagle head coach Doug Hoehn said his kids played well in Friday’s 41-0 opening win over Holtville.
“We played well especially after missing two days of practice (after Hurricane Isaac),” Hoehn said. “I was pleased with our turnovers. We had no fumbles and only one interception. It was a wet field and it was not ideal conditions to throw the ball. We created three turnovers on defense, so we won the turnover battle. That is something we did not do much last year. I think that was a large part of our success. Penalty-wise we dug ourselves a hole a few times as we got behind the chains on offense. When we were able to overcome, we were able to score on drives we got our penalties on. When we were not able to overcome it, we were forced to punt. We still have to overcome it and stop getting behind the chains. We don’t need second-and-20s. We need second-and-5s.”
Hoehn said the effort of his kids pleased him and his staff.
“We were definitely more physical,” Hoehn said. “They are not where we want them to be yet, but they are working hard and starting to realize football is a contact sport. I think our conditioning also helped us out. Upfront, I think we were in better shape and I think that helped us out.”
Hoehn said Friday’s win helps his team’s confidence, but was concerned also.
“We are hoping that is the case,” Hoehn said. “We are hoping they will build off this. We will find out how well they handle this small amount of success. We are hoping they will see this is something that comes from the result of hard work and will be able to handle success. We have just not a lot of it around here. Last year, after we won the game, we played our worse game of the season. So that is the concern we have as a staff and we are going to address that this week.”
Straughn comes into the game with W.S. Neal with an 0-1 record after losing to Andalusia 16-14.
“I think when you watch Straughn on film, the main thing you notice as a coach is they are not weak at any position,” Hoehn said. “They are very solid. There is no position where you can point out that you have an advantage for matchups. All 11 players on offense and defense play their position well. There are no weak spots. They are fundamentally sound. We are going to have to play well to have a chance to win.”
Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Straughn High School.