Local teams aim to improve records
By Bart Moss for the FCT
All local teams will be back on the gridiron this week looking to bulk up the W column for football 2017, with Phil Campbell and Vina going on the road and Red Bay, Tharptown and Russellville heating things up at home. The THS Wildcats will play Thursday this week.
Phil Campbell at Mars Hill
Last year: Mars Hill won 24-13
Record: 1-5 (0-3)
Phil Campbell coach Ryan Swinney: “We got last week off, and it was good for us. We might be able to get a couple of guys back for Mars Hill this week.
“Mars Hill is a very good football team. They have good team speed, and they are very disciplined. We will have to play a complete game and eliminate the mistakes that have been hurting us throughout the year.”
Red Bay hosts Sheffield
Last year: Sheffield won 20-0
Record: 3-3 (1-2)
Red Bay coach Michael Jackson: “Our team got better last Friday night. We had some young guys playing their best game of the year.
“Against Sheffield, we have to contain their offensive weapons – their quarterback and running back. They have a lot of skill players, so we will have to control their explosive plays.
“This is a very important region game for both teams. A playoff spot probably hinges on this game. I am sure we will get their best effort of the season.”
Russellville hosts Brooks
Last year: Russellville lost 31-21
Record: 1-5 (1-3)
Russellville coach Mark Heaton: “It was good to get a win – especially a region win. As a team, we have improved tremendously since the jamboree. That is what we have asked our kids to do – get better one day at a time.
“Brooks presents a strong challenge. They are an explosive team on offense, and they are stingy on defense. This is huge region game for us to keep our playoff hopes alive.”
Tharptown hosts Phillips
Last year: Phillips won 44-21
Record: 1-5 (1-2)
Tharptown coach Kevin Lacey: “Phillips is very good football team. They seem to be playing better every week. We are having a tough stretch right now, but we have to keep our heads up and play hard. We can’t quit.
“This is the time of the year where you find out about your mental toughness. We have to play smart, play hard and fight to the end.
“I view each week as a building block. We have to get better every week and grow and mature our young guys.”
Vina at Shoals Christian
Last year: Shoals Christian won 42-21
Record: 0-7 (0-3)
Vina coach Jason Harris: “We are pretty banged up right now. We have some serious injuries to some of our key players. Shoals Christian is well coached. They are low in numbers like us right now. We have had to move a lot of players around to positions they don’t normally play, and that is slowing us down.
