For the past couple of seasons, the Lumberton-Resurrection has decided the Region 4-1A district champion. Even though Resurrection (4-5, 3-1) lost to Stringer in a high-scoring affair, Friday night’s contest should be no different than years past.
Lumberton (5-2, 3-0) and the Eagles have developed a slugfest-type rivalry since Lumberton coach Zach Jones took over three years ago, too. Resurrection got the better of Lumberton in the regular season and postseason in 2015, but the Panthers got over the hump last year with a road win to help claim a district title.
“I think it developed a little before I got here,” Jones said. “It definitely has. We beat them in close ballgame last year to give us the upper hand in the division. It’s kind of a rivalry in all sports, not just football.”
To see success against Resurrection, Lumberton will have to start games better than it has this season. Last week at Sacred Heart, Lumberton was held to just eight points through the first two quarters, and the inconsistency of starting fast has plagued the Panthers all season, Jones says.
“We’ve been inconsistent,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve played a complete ballgame yet. We’ve had times where we played well on offense and not on defense and vice versa. We haven’t played a complete ballgame, and as a coach, that’s what you strive for. We’re at the time of year where we have to start stringing these together.”
Resurrection’s record is deceiving to those who haven’t studied its schedule. The Eagles started with losses to now-undefeated teams, Perry Central in the season opener and two Alabama powers, then a loss to Forrest County AHS and a win over Northlake Christian out of Louisiana ended a 1-4 non-district schedule.
In region play, the Eagles have shut out three of their four opponents, with the only exception being the 45-39 loss to Stringer. Jones said Resurrection had at least five turnovers and 18 penalties in that contest, and it was still in the game until the end.
Injuries played a major factor in Resurrection’s slow start to the season, according to Jones.
“That’s always an issue, especially at our level,” Jones said. “You’re trying to find guys to fill that void for the guys who are hurt. The tough schedule, plus the injuries, it kind of mounted up on them, but now they’re starting to get some of those guys back in division play. I kind of feel like they’re finding their way.”
This season, Resurrection has slightly gone away from its typical rushing attack, but part of that reasoning is because of falling behind in the early games. Senior Blake Porter has passed for 1,488 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions on 61 percent passing (122-for-200).
The Eagles have four backs with at least 26 carries so far this season, and the group is led by senior Jerry Johnson with 71 rushing attempts, 394 yards and four touchdowns. Jones believes the Eagles are getting back to their normal self week after week as far as running the ball.
“The thing I’ve seen from them lately is they’re going back to running the ball more, which is making their passing more effective,” Jones said. “They’re not having to throw it 40 times a ballgame, and they’re able to depend on the run some, too, to get them yardage. They look to me that they’re getting better and better every week.”
