Mandrell Johnson looks back at a defender, while running into the open field on his 34-yard touchdown run against Jack Britt last year.
LAURINBURG – What looked to be a big season for the Scots after a 50-0 victory against the Northern Durham Knights in week one, has soured quickly.
The Fighting Scots are 1-2 on the season, after a difficult three-point loss to border-rival, Marlboro County, on Friday night. And, the Scots will have another game with bragging implications on the line this Friday night, when they travel to Fayetteville for a showdown against the Jack Britt Buccaneers; Scotland head coach, Richard Bailey’s, old stomping grounds.
Bailey expressed it brings up some feelings knowing it’s where he began coaching.
“Always emotional when you go back to where you started and had a ton of success. A lot of great memories and great players. But, I’m also very proud that we have been really successful at Scotland and our kids tend to get motivated to play Jack Britt. Probably because it’s an emotional game for me,” he said.
Bailey is 9-0 against the Buccaneers ever since departing for Scotland High School. But, it’s never an easy game for the Scots, and it looks as if it will be challenging again this year.
Jack Britt comes into this week’s game at 1-1 on the year, after a triple overtime win against Pine Forest, and a loss to Terry Sanford.
And, the Buccaneers have an elite playmaker that could give Scotland’s defense some problems.
Running back, Sincere Baines, has been stunning in the first two games of the year. Against Pine Forest, he rushed for 154 yards on 35 carries and added a touchdown. In last week’s game against Terry Sanford, he ran for 178 yards on 20 carries and recorded seven catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns.
“We must contain (Baines) and not give up big pass plays,” Bailey said.
Jackson Powell is the man under center for the Buccaneers and played a great game last week. After going 1-of-2 for negative four yards against Pine Forest, he went 19-for-29 and 229 passing yards against Terry Sanford.
On defense, the Buccaneers have multiple guys who stand out and make effort plays. Outside linebacker, Bryce Bennett, is one of those guys.
Through two games on the season, Bennett has recorded 21 total tackles (11 solo), five tackles for loss, and four sacks.
Linebacker, Zach Pickel, has also played well to start the year, producing 17 total tackles (eight solo), and a tackle for loss.
Defensive lineman, Michael Smith, has 16 total tackles (seven solo) and two tackles for loss in two games for Jack Britt.
Bailey understands that to win Friday, his team is going to have to limit their mistakes.
“We really just need to quit hurting ourselves,” he said. “And, it’s going to be important to start fast and have some early success.”
Bailey, also, understands that his team will have to put extra work in to correct these issues in practice. But, replicating what’s been happening in practice and translating it to actual games has been an issue of its own.
“We have looked hard at ourselves this week and have tweaked a few things. But, at the end of the day, the kids have to play and do what we have coached them to do and we obviously have to do a better job of coaching it. Right now, there is a disconnect between what we do in practice and what is happening on Friday nights,” Bailey said.
Scotland and Jack Britt will meet in Fayetteville on Friday Night, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Reach Brandon Hodge at bhodge@laurinburgexch.wpenginepowered.com