On one end of Porters Chapel Academy’s Eagles Field Tuesday, interim head football coach coach Stacey Sykes was breaking down into a four-point stance to demonstrate technique to his linemen. On the other, athletic director Wade Patrick — serving as an assistant coach this week — was working with the defensive backs.

The drama of a tumultuous week fading quickly into the rearview, the focus was once again squarely on football as PCA kicked into gear its preparations for Friday’s season finale against Amite School Center.

“It hasn’t been too bad. I wouldn’t even say it’s been chaotic, really,” said Sykes, who went from junior high to high school coach when Wayne Lynch resigned on Monday. “Basically, our focus is on football. We’re trying to work hard and improve. The kids want to improve. I want to improve as a coach. So our focus has mainly been getting on the field and playing football.”

Sykes will be coaching his second game with the Eagles when they take the field Friday night at 7. He led them into action last week against Benton Academy, with just a few hours notice after Lynch told PCA’s administration of his plans to step down.

PCA lost 38-0, but players said Sykes’ approach injected some life into a team that was a bit beaten down during a seven-game losing streak. The Eagles’ 12-0 halftime deficit against Benton was one of the smallest they’ve faced this season.

“This week has been the craziest week we’ve had. He came in there and told us what he was about. We already knew him from JV. We’re really excited. We got over there and he called good plays. It was really one of the best games we’ve played,” sophomore linebacker Glen Alan Kittrell said. “(Monday) was probably the most lively, most upbeat practice we’ve had all year. It fired us up a little bit. This week started off good, and we’re trying to finish it off with a win.”

Sykes said that, four days after Lynch’s departure, the initial shock has worn off. Players have seemed ready to focus on football again, and with only one game left in the season it’s been easy to channel them in that direction.

“I would say at this point, each child has dealt with it. They’ve had the weekend to think things over. I don’t know how easy it is. I guess that would depend on each individual,” Sykes said. “From a coach’s standpoint, we need to get the kids on to we need to accomplish our goal, and that’s winning a game. Nobody, in my mind, wants to win as bad as these kids do. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Winning hasn’t come easy for PCA (1-8, 0-2 District 5-AA) lately. Its only victory this season was a forfeit over Riverdale in August, and it is just 3-17 over the last two seasons.

Sykes said he didn’t plan to change a lot of things the Eagles do — there isn’t time for that — but instead put an emphasis on doing them better.

“It’s hard to do anything like that in a week,” he said. “We’re going to try to get our playmakers in one-on-one situations and hope that they make plays. We’re going to try to defend better. We need to tackle better. The kids know these things.”

Amite won’t be an easy win. The Rebels (4-5, 1-1) are an average team, but one that still harbors playoff aspirations. A win, though, would be a welcome relief for PCA after a season that went south a while ago.

“For morale, it’d mean a whole lot. These kids have been working. There’s been frustration, up and down moments, and I think a win would be great for these kids,” Sykes said. “It’s been great seeing them smiling in practice and having a great time. We’re bringing a lot of excitement and energy, and keeping them upbeat. They’ve enjoyed it so far, and that’s a good thing. That’s a sign of resiliency. That’s what we need.”

Amite at Porters Chapel

Friday, 7 p.m.

Radio: 104.5 FM

Online: For live scoring updates on Friday night, visit Facebook.com/thevicksburgpost and Twitter.com/vicksburgpost