When the clock hit zero Friday night, multiple Porters Chapel players were gasping for air. As sweat drenched their blue uniforms and cuts and bruises lined their arms and legs, it was obvious that some of the players left everything they had on the turf.

But, coach Wayne Lynch said, there were others that didn’t seem to play with the same tenacity, and it showed on the final scoreboard. Lynch made no bones about what needs to change if PCA wants to rebound from its 33-19 loss to Hartfield Academy and compete for a playoff spot in 2014.

“I have some players with all the heart in the world, but I also have a few players that need to step up and show some heart,” Lynch said. “From a coaching standpoint, I can’t instill (heart) but I can play the ones who are willing to leave it all on the field and not play the ones who aren’t. Again, I do have several players who already have it, but there are a few who need to find it.”

While no specific names were mentioned, it’s clear Lynch is searching for a core group of players to step up and command a presence in the locker room that will unite the team and tamp down some of the mental mistakes that led to PCA’s first loss of the season.

The Eagles dropped a number of passes early in the game that short-circuited scoring opportunities, then gave up a safety and a touchdown on the ensuing possession. There was also a shanked punt that was returned for a touchdown in the second half and several turnovers.

“I will need my players to come together as a single unit and enforce their own leadership to lead the team,” he said. “The bottom line is we have to practice better and carry that over to the game.”

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Friday, 7 p.m.

Porters Chapel at Newton Academy

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