GOTW: Week 1 seems like a long time ago. The Fyffe Red Devils (2-1, 2-0) have spent the last two weeks running roughshod over 2A Region 7, averaging 52 points per game in that span and are currently ranked number 6 in the State.
However, it isn't the offense that has been improving since that night in Geraldine, but the defense. Cade Carroll (SR) has led the defense and is seemingly in on every tackle, but he was quick to shift the praise to the younger members of the defense.
"Tyler Ashley, Kyle Collins, Ryan Martin, Austin Coots. They've all stepped up. Tyler has gotten better every week, and by the end of the season we should be a great unit."
- Cade Carroll
Carroll said that the defensive game plan this week was fairly straight forward, and seemed to be short on mercy...
"We want to hit them...and we want to hit them hard for 48 minutes."
- Cade Carroll
The offensive side of the ball is just as simple and effective. RB's Trent Thrash(SR) and Levi Bates (SR) spearhead the attack for the Red Devils. When you have two backs that run sub 4.6 40 yard dashes, you don't need to get too complex with the play calls. I tried to get the duo to tell me which back was faster, but they simply pointed to each other, smiled and changed the subject.
Thrash and Bates complimented the young offensive line for their speed and technique.
"They're really starting to gel as a unit and the holes are starting to open."
- Levi Bates
GAME PLAN: The Fyffe Red Devils will pound away at the Ider defense and try to capitalize on a turnover prone Hornets offense.
Across the field stand the Ider Hornets (1-2, 1-1). The Hornets will host this matchup for the first time since 2010, and they don't seem to be too intimidated to face the favorites from Fyffe.
"We've improved each week...and we know we're the underdog going in, but at the same time that's why we play the game."
- Ider Head Coach Brent Tinker
Coach Tinker believes that his offense is starting to put it together at just the right time. Tinker will look to keep the ball in the hands of Dillon Read, Jarret Palmer, and Caleb Higdon.
Ider is running a different offense this season than in years past when they were in the pistol formation. The two back shotgun set has taken a few games to adjust to, but Coach Tinker is hoping that it's finally clicked.
Turnovers have also been a major problem for the Hornets (5 last game) and they'll need to take care of the ball in order to have a legitimate chance.
Even at (1-2), the Hornets have been in every game. Their style allows them to play with anyone, if they can just eliminate the turnovers. Look for an excited and hungry Ider Hornets team to take the field on Friday night and make a real run at an upset.
GAME PLAN: The Ider Hornets will put 10 in the box and look to make this a physical, grind it out contest and eliminate self inflicted mistakes.
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To hear more insight from our interview with Trent Thrash, Levi Bates, and Cade Carroll tune in to the LIVE broadcast on SouthernTorch.com this Friday night at 6:45 PM!
