SUMRALL – The Bobcats have reeled off four straight wins to begin the season 4-1 with one non-region game left on the schedule for the second straight season, but why does this season feel a little different?
Regardless of Friday night’s outcome against Pass Christian (1-3), Sumrall is in better position to not have a drop off like it did last season, as it finished 2016 by losing five of its last six ballgames.
“We were 4-1 last year at this time, so we’re in no position to do anything but worry about Sumrall and try to avoid whatever caused last year’s slide to happen against this year,” Sumrall coach Shannon White said.
There are many reasons why the 2017 edition of the Bobcats are in better shape than last season. First, the players are a year older, which has made nearly every position on the field to get better. The defense is better, Sumrall has a running game and when needed, four-star wide receiver Dannis Jackson is just about unstoppable when quarterback Billy Garrity throws it up to him.
For Sumrall’s sake, it’s hoping the Week 1 shutout loss to South Jones will be the lowest point of the season, because it has been rolling since then. Of course, most will point out Sumrall switching offenses, but to White, that’s not the entire story.
As a defense, Sumrall has collected 10.5 sacks, which is led by Cole Daniels’ 3.5, six interceptions and seven fumble recoveries.
“I think we’re playing better defense, too,” White said. “I think so much as been made of our offense, and I understand that. We made a switch and went 180 (degrees) on offense, so I get that. That’s a good story, it’s been very good, and it still is. Lost in all of that is I think our defense is getting better. We’ve forced about 15 turnovers and we’ve had a lot fourth quarter, in the red zone stops, which has been great.
“There are a lot of statistics I can throw at you, but defensively, we’ve played pretty good and we’re getting better.”
The Bobcats’ defense will have a tough task this week in stopping Pass High’s junior 6-foot-2-inch, 225-pound running back, Tionne Frost. In three games, missing one due to an injury, he’s racked up 497 rushing yards and two scores on 71 carries. After missing Week 3’s game, he bounced back with 262 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 32 attempts.
“I watched him run the 100 meters last year in the 4A South State Championship in McComb,” White said. “This guy can fly. This guy is a super prospect. He’s huge and he can run. To me, he’s a big-time player.”
White said he hasn’t seen a running back with this combination of size and speed since playing Hazlehurst’s Demetrius Cain in 2012.
The Pirates’ defense allows 20 points per game, and they had their best performance two weeks ago, holding West Harrison to seven points. Pass was on a bye last week.
Since the offensive switch, however, not too many teams have been able to hold Sumrall’s rushing game down. The Bobcats are averaging 245 rushing yards in the last four games and nearly 10 yards per carry. Ty’Rek Preston leads the way with 423 yards and three touchdowns while three other plays have 190 or more yards.
The offensive line has been overshadowed by some outside of the program for the team’s success in the ground game, too.
“I think they like the contact part of it, and I think they take pride in 5-yard gains,” White said. “Those guys don’t get any publicity, but they see the results of the plays and they know they’re the reason for them.”
