Experience will be the key for the Sacred Heart Crusaders moving forward. The lack of experience played a big part in last week’s 45-13 loss to Loyd Star, and it was evident to coach Lonny Schraeder.
“Everybody on the defensive front, that was their first game,” he said. “All of our linebackers had never played varsity football before. Garrett Crowder had injuries so he missed that game. It was one of those games. I’m not making excuses, but that was their first varsity game. Those young guys are getting experience, and as the game went on they got better.”
The Crusaders have four more non-region games before beginning Region 4-1A play, and Schraeder wants to get his players the varsity-level experience during that time to get ready for Resurrection, Lumberton and other region foes.
It all starts this week, though, as Richton comes to Hattiesburg for a Week 2 contest. The Rebels suffered a 40-13 loss to Columbia last week, so both squads will try to bounce back from a lopsided loss. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Athletic Complex.
“All of those guys have watched the film and saw what they did wrong,” Schraeder said. “We went out yesterday, we corrected a lot of things and we moved a couple of people around. I think we’ll keep trying to find our identity defensively. I want to win, but sometimes you have to take your lumps to learn.”
Richton senior Za’darius Mitchell has caught Schraeder’s eye while watching film. As a junior, Sacred Heart held Mitchell in check for the most part in a 42-36 Sacred Heart win, but the Crusaders will have a tougher time this go-round because of the inexperience on defense.
“I remember him from last year and he’s hard to stop,” Schraeder said. “They’re going to move him around, do different things with him and try to get the ball to him in a lot of different ways.”
There is good news for the defense, though. Senior Garrett Crowder missed last week’s game due to injuries, but Schraeder said he’s good to go this week, adding he makes a huge difference in his team’s run defense.
For Richton’s defense, it allowed a ton of points to Columbia last week. Mitchell led the team with eight tackles – one for a loss – in the game while the team forced an interception and a fumble. Despite Richton’s struggles last week, Schraeder knows his offense will have to be locked in all game.
“They’re Richton. They’re a bunch of country kids, they’re tough, they’re salty and they play hard the whole game. They get after you so we’re going to have to do the same,” he said.
