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Straughn
heading into "storm"
Last season the
Straughn Tigers got off to an 0-5 start having to face five
teams that were headed into the playoffs and four that were at
the top of their classification. This season the Tigers
have a little more experience and a lot more confidence as they
begin a flight into the "storm" of their schedule.
Geneva, Pike County
and TR Miller - three teams that create concern for
coaches. Coach Taylor wanted to get off to a good start
and build some momentum heading into this storm and you couldn't
ask for a more scripted result.
Script one - an
underdog against 2A Red Level and trailing 0-12 deep in the
third the Tigers come rolling back to win 14-12.
Script two - an
underdog going into 3A region 2 opener against Abbeville -
Straughn gains an early lead 18-2, but watches it disappear
quickly in the third quarter 18-26. Straughn doesn't give
up and fights back as two boxers swapping blows.... 24-26;
24-32; 32-32; 40-32.
Now comes Geneva.
The Panthers won last season's region going 10-0, before being
upset in the play-offs. This year Geneva had the
unfortunate task of facing 3A #1 Pike County first - although
winning a double overtime game last season - the Panthers fall
to the Bulldogs 7-39.
. Can the
Tigers win? They have proven over the past two weeks they
can come from behind - and their defense can score as many
points as their offense.
Heading into the
season no one expected the Tigers to be 2-0, nor did they have
any idea they could be competeing against Geneva this Friday,
but after the previous two weeks how can you pick against
Straughn.
| Offense |
Ryan Taylor has
proven he can lead the team and now has a supporting cast
that has grown from a group of guys playing football - to
a team that is winning games. |
| Defense |
WOW -- The
Tigers shut down the speed of Red Level and stayed with
the speed of Abbeville - now they will face a more
disciplined team in Geneva with plenty of Talent. -
They cannot afford breakdowns in coverage - or
misdirection persuit. --- |
| Coaching |
Coach Taylor and
his assistants have done an extridinary job already
getting the Tigers to 2-0. Even if the Tigers were
to drop the next three games - they are way head of
expectations from folks outside of Straughn.
But that statement isn't good enough for Taylor - he wants
to win and demands the best from his players.
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| OUTLOOK |
The Tigers will
win one of the next three games - probably against TR
Miller, but have a great shot at beating Geneva.
It will be an upset if the
Tigers, or anyone else, beats Pike County, but don't count
Straughn out this season. |
Straughn Football
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