PURVIS – For the Tornadoes, Friday can’t get here soon enough, because Week 1 did not go as planned. However, Purvis coach Perry Wheat is not a coach who likes to throw out film and try to forget how bad of a performance a game was.
“Well, we have to learn from it as well,” Wheat said. “We’re not happy with the way we played, but you have to give (Oak Grove) credit. They have a good football team. We didn’t play very aggressive and got caught up a little bit. We have to be better than that. Hopefully we can correct our mistakes, get ourselves in the right state of mind and go play some better football.”
Purvis (0-1) will entertain West Marion (0-1) Friday night, as both teams try to bounce back after blowout losses. The Trojans lost to PCS 38-18 last Thursday, allowing the Bobcats to rush for 435 yards and four touchdowns.
Senior running back John Bolton and the other Purvis backs didn’t have much room to run last week, so they have to be licking their chops this week. Also, the loss to Oak Grove spoiled senior quarterback Ty Howell return to the field, and senior receiver C.J. Bolar was held in check in the passing game.
“I know our kids, and they’re disappointed and little embarrassed that we didn’t play better, but I think they’re smart enough to know that we have an opportunity to have a really good football team. I think they’ll come back and recommit themselves,” Wheat said.
West Marion recorded 143 rushing yards on 34 carries, and first-year starting quarterback Jeremiah Holmes was 13-for-20 with 271 yards and two touchdowns. The Trojans were only down 14-12 at halftime against PCS, but fatigued settled in and the Bobcats used a 17-point third quarter to pull away.
“I think their primary problem the other night is they got fatigued,” Wheat said. “Part of that is they have some kids going both ways. Private school starting a week earlier is a factor as well. They’re very athletic, and I think they’ll be a good football team.”
Holmes led the offense with 60 rushing yards, and no other back had more than 50 yards. Receiver Qavonte Swanigan had a big day, though, catching six passes for 111 yards.
“They’ve been really good running that offense the last two or three years, and they’ve had back-to-back really good players at quarterback and it looks like they have another one,” Wheat said.
Wheat believes the West Marion defense will be ready to go this week, too. He said the Trojans’ problem was just like Purvis’ problem against Oak Grove – just not ready to play.
West Marion is a young team with many new faces, and most teams see the biggest jump in improvement from Week 1 to Week 2. That will definitely be a factor for this Trojan team.
“Some of that (against PCS) is not getting ripped, as much as just they were out of position,” Wheat said. “I think they’ll get it all going and they’ll be a lot better this week.”
Purvis is set to host West Marion Friday at 7 p.m.
