Sumrall maintained its perfect record after the Bobcats held off Pearl River Central last week in a 28-21 win.
Sumrall’s offense continues to roll after quarterback John Ford threw three touchdowns to three different receivers in the win. On the defensive side of the ball, the Bobcats forced four turnovers, with Tyler Daniels coming down with an interception and recovering a fumble.
For Sumrall coach Shannon White, he was most proud of how his team held of PRC’s late 14-point comeback in the fourth quarter.
“I thought it was a great team win,” White said. “We stepped up and managed to hold them out and won the game. We were up 28-7 with about two minutes left in the third quarter. It was a good road win and a good team win.
“I’m not worried about anything with this team. This is how we have expected to play, and so far, we have played up to the expectations.”
This week, Sumrall (3-0) will travel to face Newton County, who handed the Bobcats a 40-0 loss last year. Despite the Cougars’ success from last season, as they finished 2020 season 9-1, they have struggled after opening the season with three straight losses. Newton County defeated Union 28-6 to earn its first win of the season.
However, White believes Newton County’s 1-3 mark is deceiving and that the Cougars are victims of a brutal schedule that has featured West Lauderdale, Winona and Scott Central.
“I think they are really good, White said. “They have gotten beaten by an outstanding West Lauderdale team. Scott Central is probably the 2A favorite and Winona is probably the 3A north favorite. Their schedule is hard, and they have been in all of their ball games.”
On offense, the Cougars have averaged 26 points per game, and according to White, they are a well-balanced offense.
“They are balanced,” White said. “They always run the ball well, but they have got a quarterback that is accurate. They have a receiver that can go get it. Having a deep threat out there is one thing but having an accurate quarterback is another one.
They give you a lot of formations and a lot of packages. They have a really good offense.”
The Cougar defense has allowed 31 points per game and regularly features a blitz, which is why White believes that preparing for it will be challenging.
“They bring lots of pressure and are a heavy blitz team,” White said. “They blitz in all situations whether it is first and 10 or fourth and three. They bring one if not two every play. If you don’t know your assignments, then it’s a long night.
“It’s going to be a week’s worth of preparation for us to handle their blitz schemes.”
According to White, his goals for his team are simple, which is to keep playing well and staying consistent.
“(We want to) keep playing at a high level,” White said. “We have managed two start the last two games offensively hot. We’ve come out and put points on the board. Defensively, we gave up a long drive last week, but after that, we settled in. It’s the same thing with us being consistent in the practice approach and then in our performance on Friday. I think that is the only way you can continue to be good, which is to practice and prepare as you have been.”
