Cougars present challenge for WC
Published 12:00 am Friday, August 28, 2009
Hoping to build off last week’s effort against a strong Gulfport club, Warren Central welcomes one of the state’s best Class 4A teams, Lawrence County, to Viking Stadium tonight.
The Cougars (1-0) were ranked No. 2 in the Class 4A in the preseason, but struggled to a 27-26 win over Callaway in the season opener. They fell to No. 6 this week in the Associated Press poll. WC coach Curtis Brewer said there were reasons why the Cougars had problems.
“The weather had a factor. The field was pretty muddy,” Brewer said. Storms went through Monticello before the game and left the field a quagmire.
The Cougars were able to pull out the win behind standout wingback Matthew Wells. The 200-pounder also plays safety and is one of 16 starters that are either juniors or seniors.
Byron Hammond, a 6-foot-5, 241-pound senior, mans one defensive tackle spot for the Cougars while their other defensive tackle, junior Xavier Stringer, is 6-1 and 241 pounds. The three linebackers are Trevor Havis, Lakendrick Barnes and Marcus Brown.
“They have two really good defensive tackles and their linebackers love to run to the football and make plays. They fly to the ball,” Brewer said.
WC line coach Buddy Wooten said his charges have made strides this week following a 35-21 loss to Gulfport.
“Overall, we did a fairly good job against Gulfport,” Wooten said. “What we’ll have this week is that some of the offensive linemen will play more on defense.”
The Vikings fell behind 28-7 in the first half, but came back with two scores in the second half to close to within 28-21. A late gamble with a fake punt failed deep in their own territory, and Gulfport was able to punch in the clinching touchdown.
“It took us a while to catch up to the speed of the game,” Brewer said. “We fought back and then just needed to catch a break, but like we’ll learn, there is no one on our schedule that will give us a break.”
The Viking passing game looked good as quarterback Beau Wallace completed 12 of 27 passes for 155 yards. Patrick Taylor caught six passes for 48 yards and Lebarron Lee had two catches for 48 yards and one touchdown.
The running game also clicked as Tim Jones had 68 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
“At least now we can attack both sides of the field because we have more kids who can catch the ball,” Brewer said. “But we’re still rusty with our passing game.”
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Contact Jeff Byrd at jbyrd@vicksburgpost.com