It’s another week for Sacred Heart to keep building on its special season, but this time, the Crusaders will play what is arguably the biggest game in program history.
Sacred Heart will host Resurrection Catholic, and the winner of this game will likely walk away with a region championship, which would be the first for the Crusaders. Not to mention, winning the region will guarantee a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
“If we take care of business, then it’ll be a lot of firsts for our school,” Sacred Heart coach Ed Smith said. “I think the kids have embraced that this year. Every week, there is a chance to do something that hasn’t been done yet.”
Like last week against Lumberton, Sacred Heart will face another team that has been historically dominant against the Crusaders. Resurrection holds a 10-0 record all-time and has outscored Sacred Heart 383-56.
“The kids have been hearing the chatter that we haven’t played anybody,” Smith said. “I think everyone would agree that Lumberton is a good team. We can only play the people that are on our schedule. We have done a really good job of playing it one week at a time.”
The Eagles (6-1, 3-0) are tied with Sacred Heart at the top of the Region 8-1A district standings.
On offense, Resurrection has averaged 33 points per game, with wide receiver/running back Daniel Pickens being the focal point of the team’s success. Pickens leads the Eagles with 696 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and has come down with 14 catches for 130 yards and four scores.
“We have to focus on the task at hand, and that’s play Resurrection, which is a really good football team,” Smith said. “(Pickens) is a good big time player. They get him the ball as much as they can. He is a good running back and runs downhill. He doesn’t do a lot of juking and jiving. He’ll make one move, but if he hits a crease, he can take it all the way. He’s also a good receiver. They’ll go from the I-formation and then go four-wide. He’ll be one of the receivers.”
At quarterback is Luke Schnoor, who has thrown for 684 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions while running for 215 yards on the ground. His other top target is Jaylen Harper, who has hauled in 15 catches for 335 yards and three touchdowns.
“The quarterback is really good too and runs the ball well, but I think he sees the field better, probably better than anybody we have faced this year,” Smith said. “He has a good arm and can move around in the pocket a little bit. He makes really good throws.”
On defense, the Eagles have held teams to 16.8 points per game, but during district play, that figure has dropped to 13.5 points.
“Their defense is going to put seven people or more to stop the run,” Smith said. “They are not real big, but they are athletic. They are hard-nosed. They play a pretty solid defense technique. We have to play well up front. We have to be able to get some push up front and create running lanes. We have to do a better job throwing and catching.”
Sacred Heart will host Resurrection on Friday at 7 p.m.
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