Presbyterian Christian continues to stay on a roll. However, this week will be one of the biggest games since the hiring of PCS coach Derek White.
If the Bobcats defeat Oak Forrest Academy, then PCS will have a guaranteed home playoff game.
“The message is to become 2-0 in the district,” White said. “If we can go 2-0 in the district, we get a home playoff game. Last year these guys beat us when we had a lightning delay. We didn’t play very well. It’s a tough place to play going all the way to Amite, Louisiana. It’s the biggest game we have had in three years since I have been here.”
Playing a large role in the team’s success has been the PCS offense’s ability to click on all cylinders. For the fifth straight week, running back Marquis Crosby has run for over 230 yards and rushed for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. At the same time, the Bobcats have found more consistency in the passing game with sophomore quarterback Ian Randolph, who in the last two weeks has thrown for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite Randolph’s success, PCS coach Derek White has faith in Colin Neicase at quarterback. While Neicase is recovering from an injury, White plans to utilize both of their talents on offense.
“Neither one of them will come out of the game,” White said. “If one is playing at quarterback, the other will play receiver.”
While Oak Forrest holds an 0-3 record, according to White, the Yellow Jackets are a talented team. One of the reasons for Oak Forrest’s slow start is being delayed to start practice due to Louisiana’s restrictions.
“This is a very good football team, and they are going to get better every week because they are a little bit younger and don’t have a lot of seniors,” White said. “They are a tough football team, and I’ll venture to say they are the best football team we play in the season.
“They just don’t have a lot of numbers, and they are young.”
On offense, Oak Forrest runs a Wing-T, option heavy offense that so far has averaged 13.6 points per game but scored a season-high last week in their 42-27 loss to Hartfield Academy. According to White, the success of the Yellowjacket offense depends on their quarterback.
“They have a senior quarterback that is as good as we are going to see this year,” White said. “They are a different football team because they run the option and run the Wing-T. They are physical, play hard, and big this year.
“They run a true option and power read and triple option. He is the best runner they have got. They have two wing backs that look good when they get into the open field. The offensive line is big and young. They bring a brand of football where they are not going to shy away. The quarterback is tough as nails and (plays) defensive end. We have to contain him. They have a lot of team speed. If they get downfield, they can be a problem for us if we don’t take care of our assignments.”
On defense, Oak Forrest has allowed 36 points per game.
“They do a great job of scheming you,” White said. “They are extremely physical, and they play well. They come down well against the run, and linebackers come from the top and read the guards extremely well. They really get after it on defense. They give you everything they have got on defense. They play hard. If they get beat, it’s because you are a little bit better than they are, and there aren’t many blown assignments. They make you earn everything you get.”
