FOUNTAIN LAKE -- Can it get more difficult for the Fountain Lake Cobras, 0-4 after a 47-18 loss to Joe T. Robinson in a conference opener last week?
Yes, it can.
Fountain Lake is home tonight against defending Class 4A champion Nashville, 19-0 under second-year coach Mike Volarvich. If that weren't enough, the Cobras play Arkadelphia, loser only to Nashville in a 3-1 start, next week; the Badgers beat the Cobras in the playoffs last year after losing their regular-season matchup.
"We've definitely looked at film from the last two matchups," Fountain Lake coach Tommy Gilleran said. "Any team that you play every year like that, it definitely helps to have an idea of their tendencies. Offensively they're a little different this year with a new quarterback, but seeing how they line up on offense and defense should give us an idea of what to expect."
Nashville's offense has scored at will, averaging 67 points per game. In their last two games, the Scrappers totaled 162 points in wins over Idabel, Okla. and Arkadelphia.
"We have some really talented players on offense," Volarvich said. "It all starts up front and our line has really been playing well this season and I think we have a lot of skill players that can put points on the board."
Star running back Darius Hopkins has led the charge with 757 yards and rushing and 15 touchdowns, totaling 570 yards and 12 touchdowns in the last two games.
"He's the guy that's been putting up the numbers for us and making our offense go," said Volarvich. "The biggest difference for him has been having an offseason to prepare. Last year he was recovering from an injury and was cleared just a few days before the season opener. Him being able to play basketball and run track in the offseason did wonders for him before this year."
Taking nothing away from the passing attack of the Scrappers, led by quarterback Tyler Hanson, Gilleran singled out Hopkins as the player the Cobras must slow to have a chance tonight.
"Their rushing attack might be the best in the state," Gilleran said. "We have to find a way to at least slow them down a little. If we can't, the running game will open up the passing lanes and it will be a long night for us defensively."
Last week against Robinson, Gilleran went with a ball-control offense in an effort to keep the potent Senator offense on the sideline. Facing a similar challenge tonight, he plans on employing the same approach.
"We start so many sophomores on defense, so we have to do that to try and keep them off the field," said Gilleran. "We know they have the talent to score every time they touch the ball, so we just have to do the best we can to limit the number of possessions they have."
Facing a defense that has allowed more than 50 points per game in its last two contests, the Cobras should have opportunities to score on offense. Senior quarterback Hunter Bryant continued to show progress last week, throwing two touchdowns and running for another against Robinson.
"He's developed into the quarterback that we thought he could be," Gilleran said. "He's been the reason for the success we've had on offense this year and as long as we can keep him healthy, we think he'll continue to get better moving forward."
Despite a matchup against fellow juggernaut Robinson looming next week, Volarvich said his team has been focused on Fountain Lake and expects another competitive matchup with the Cobras.
"We haven't talked about Robinson at all," said Volarvich. "Fountain Lake has been a team that's given us trouble the last couple years so we know better than to overlook them. They've got some good players and coach Gilleran will have his guys ready to go so we know we need to bring our A-game."
Sports on 09/30/2016