Franklin teams fight losing records
By Bart Moss for the FCT
Phil Campbell hosts Hatton
Last year: Hatton won 26-20
Record: 1-6 (0-4)
Phil Campbell coach Ryan Swinney: “We had a terrible start on offense against Mars Hill Friday night. We had chances to put points on the board early in the game (Mars Hill turned the ball over four times inside the first 17 minutes of the game), but we just didn’t take advantage of it. I thought we played a little better in the second half.
“We host Hatton this week. They like to spread teams out and throw the football. They will throw the ball more than any team we’ve faced so far. They are a big and physical team that will get after you. We need to close out the season strong.”
Red Bay at Sulligent
Last year: Red Bay won 30-29
Record: 3-4 (1-3)
Red Bay coach Michael Jackson: “We have to put last week behind us and get ready to go play Sulligent. They are one of the top teams in our region. Sulligent is the most experienced team we have faced all year with 18 seniors on their roster. We will have to take care of the football and be able to run the ball on a very good defense. We will have to do a better job with timely penalties and tackle in space better to take this game into the fourth quarter and have a chance to win.”
Russellville at East Limestone
Last year: Russellville won 35-14
Record: 1-6 (1-4)
Russellville coach Mark Heaton: “Our guys played hard for four quarters Friday night. We didn’t execute well offensively or tackle well the whole night. This week we need to improve in those areas.
“East Limestone is a good football team. We can keep ourselves in these games and give ourselves a chance if we cut out huge mistakes that have costs us early in the games.”
Tharptown at Cherokee
Last year: Cherokee won 27-3
Record: 1-6 (1-3)
Tharptown coach Kevin Lacey: “I think our game last week against Phillips would have turned out a lot different if we would have taken care of the football and eliminated the big 15 yard penalties. We were moving the ball and stopping them but just made too many mental mistakes.
“Cherokee is one of the best teams in our region, and we are going to their place. It is going to be a challenge. These are the types of games where you find out what kind of mental toughness your team has. This is the time of the year where you find out what your team is made of.
“Do we fight or do we quit? Cherokee will be the most athletic team we’ve played all year.”
Vina hosts Hackleburg
Last year: Hackleburg won 34-12
Record: 0-8 (0-4)
Vina coach Jason Harris: “I was proud of the way our guys kept fighting Friday night against Shoals Christian. We just couldn’t get over the hump.
“I think we will get there. We have a lot of young guys out there competing and not quitting.
“Hackleburg might be the best team we face this year. They are a solid team all the way around. There are not a lot of weak spots.
“I just want our guys to go out there and compete from start to finish.”
