PCA moves up a class against Central Hinds

Published 12:00 am Friday, September 5, 2003

[8/29/03]After dominating Tensas in their season-opener, the Porters Chapel Academy Eagles were flying high. That lasted until Monday, when they watched film of this week’s opponent: Central Hinds.

“They looked good. They looked big and fast,” PCA coach Bubba Mims said. “I think they do everything well. Offensively, they run powers and sweeps and traps, and then hitch passes and long passes.”

Central Hinds lost its opener, against Manchester, 13-10 in overtime. That hasn’t kept the Eagles from chalking up another win, however, not after what Central Hinds did to them last season.

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In 2002, PCA also won its opener against Tensas. The next week, Central Hinds crushed the Eagles 36-7. This year’s team has a different vibe about it, Mims said.

“I feel like we’re a better football team this year, at this point in the season, than we were last year. We’re more in shape. I feel like we’re more intense, more into it,” Mims said.

The key for PCA this week will be the play of its offensive line. The group of Lance Gullett, Cameron Owen, Zach Shiers, Michael Shinn and Brett Sessums controlled the line of scrimmage against Tensas and helped PCA roll to a 40-0 win.

Four backs totaled 215 of PCA’s 222 rushing yards against Tensas, with none having more than 80 yards or seven carries.

“I could have run my truck through (the holes),” J.D. Lee said after the Tensas game.

Central Hinds’ inexperience could give the Eagles an edge in the battle in the trenches.

“We’ve got to play good or we’re going to get beat,” Gullett said.