NEW ORLEANS – There are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties in this matchup of out-of-state foes, and Petal coach Marcus Boyles admits this week is a little more challenging.
Petal (1-1) isn’t unfamiliar with Saturday games, as it opened the season against Hattiesburg on a Saturday night, but playing a day game in a 25,000-plus capacity stadium in New Orleans is not part of the Panthers’ routine in any way.
“We’ll bring them in that morning and obviously leave a little earlier, so it’s different,” Boyles said. “It’s going to be a unique challenge. With teenagers, when you change things sometimes it presents problems. They like structure and routine, but we’re excited about it.”
Another challenge for Petal is preparing for a team that hasn’t played a regular season game yet. Brother Martin has played a jamboree and a scrimmage, but nothing compares to live game film. Combined that with Petal having two games and a jamboree on film and the uncertainty of not being familiar with the New Orleans-based school, it’s a tough test for the Panthers.
Boyles says Brother Martin runs an offense Petal has run in the past, and it’ll try to pound the football down Petal’s throat.
“Offensively, they have a really good quarterback, some good offensive lineman and they play a good bit with their tight ends or H-back,” Boyles said. “They’re kind of similar to us, not this year, but in the past, I guess, they really want to pound you with the football and a lot of (run-pass options).”
Defensively, the Crusaders run a 3-4 defense, and Boyles recognizes how well coached they are.
“The thing that stuck out to us as we were watching film is they’re where they’re supposed to be,” Boyles said. “That’s the biggest thing. They’re very well coached. If they’re supposed to be at this spot, they’re there. It’s a very physical defense that has some guys who can run.”
The Panthers’ running back storyline added another chapter in their win over Gulfport last week, as Nataurean “Phat” Watts went from four carries and 56 yards in Week 1 to 18 rushing attempts for 77 yards and a score against Gulfport. Boyles was open at the fact that Watts was probably the team’s best running back in July, but he was too valuable at receiver to be an every-down back.
Watts didn’t just line up in the backfield in the normal running back position last week. He’ll start out wide and motion into backfield, or receive the ball on a wide receiver sweep play, as well.
“As the game was going on, he was just so productive at running back and doing some things,” Boyles said. “It presents challenges for you going to him out of the backfield, then splitting him out and motioning him into the backfield some. He’s just a talented guy who we’re able to use in a lot of different ways.”
The offense still needs more sparks like the ones Watts can give, but there’s a difference between big-play opportunities and actually making the big plays. According to Boyles, there have been plenty of opportunities to make those big plays, but one thing might go wrong to prevent it.
That’s a concern for Petal.
Entering the season, Petal had a lot of unknowns on defense, but the unit is quickly answering those questions. Boyles has seen a jump in production in each week so far this season, but it’ll be a tough challenge against Brother Martin.
“I saw a big improvement from the jamboree to Hattiesburg, and Hattiesburg to Gulfport,” Boyles said. “Again, it’s a great challenge this week at Brother Martin. They’re quarterback is really good, and he’s a two- or three-year starter. It’s going to present a challenge. As long as we’re getting better on each side of the ball, then we’re happy and can live with that.”
