By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- As most of the state's high school football teams suited up for Week 1, the Hopkins County Central squad took advantage of a bye and watched Caldwell County open its season.
At 7:30 p.m. today, Central will take on the Tigers at Storm Field and will look to put last week's lessons to task.
First-year head coach Zach Hibbs said he noticed many similarities between the two teams.
"They run basically the same offense we do," Hibbs said. "They look very impressive with it. They're a lot like us in the respect they have several different players they're checking off to. When we were breaking down film, we tried to look at how they distribute the ball and they're pretty even."
During Caldwell's season-opener, the Tigers beat Calloway County 34-7 behind 253 rushing yards.
Junior linebacker Jace Oldham said the Storm defense has done its homework by watching film and pouring over scouting reports.
"They're pretty much a run team more than pass," Oldham said. "I think they have two or three good running backs. We're just going to need to be on top of ourselves.
At 7:30 p.m. today, Central will take on the Tigers at Storm Field and will look to put last week's lessons to task.
First-year head coach Zach Hibbs said he noticed many similarities between the two teams.
"They run basically the same offense we do," Hibbs said. "They look very impressive with it. They're a lot like us in the respect they have several different players they're checking off to. When we were breaking down film, we tried to look at how they distribute the ball and they're pretty even."
During Caldwell's season-opener, the Tigers beat Calloway County 34-7 behind 253 rushing yards.
Junior linebacker Jace Oldham said the Storm defense has done its homework by watching film and pouring over scouting reports.
"They're pretty much a run team more than pass," Oldham said. "I think they have two or three good running backs. We're just going to need to be on top of ourselves.
Fellow linebacker Nathan Crick, a senior, said he's confident in stopping Caldwell's ground attack.
"We're basically a stop-the-run defense, so we'll be well prepared for the run," he said.
Caldwell quarterback Blake Hodges also completed 10-of-16 passes for 108 yards, so the Storm secondary must protect against the air as well.
Central's quarterback, sophomore Lucas Crawley, also attended Caldwell's contest last week and kept his attention on the Tiger defenders.
"What I focused on is watching them blitz and their linebackers, safeties, watching all the defensive positions, so I know where the open holes are going to be when I throw the ball," he said.
The Tigers defense held Calloway to just 60 offensive yards for the game.
Offensively, Hibbs said the team will try to maintain balance between the pass and run.
"We just want to control the tempo of the game, whatever that means," he said. "If that means we're running the ball more, if we seem to be running
that effectively, four yards and a cloud of dust - that's what we'll do. If it means that we have to take a 7-yard pass or a 5-yard pass, we'll take that too."
In the backfield, Central will utilize a slew of ball carriers including Tino Nance, Anthony Qualls, Shelby Cummings and Mason Byers.
Stopping the defense at the line will be pivotal to Central's success, Hibbs said.
"We have to keep them off Luke Crawley, and at the same time any time we decide to run the ball," he said. "I've been telling them since the beginning of conditioning, we need four yards a pop."
No matter the type of attack, tonight's game marks the beginning of a head coaching career for Hibbs and a final season for 15 seniors, and all want the first game to finish with a win.
"We have to start strong right now because it just gets tougher from here on out," Hibbs said.
"We're basically a stop-the-run defense, so we'll be well prepared for the run," he said.
Caldwell quarterback Blake Hodges also completed 10-of-16 passes for 108 yards, so the Storm secondary must protect against the air as well.
Central's quarterback, sophomore Lucas Crawley, also attended Caldwell's contest last week and kept his attention on the Tiger defenders.
"What I focused on is watching them blitz and their linebackers, safeties, watching all the defensive positions, so I know where the open holes are going to be when I throw the ball," he said.
The Tigers defense held Calloway to just 60 offensive yards for the game.
Offensively, Hibbs said the team will try to maintain balance between the pass and run.
"We just want to control the tempo of the game, whatever that means," he said. "If that means we're running the ball more, if we seem to be running
that effectively, four yards and a cloud of dust - that's what we'll do. If it means that we have to take a 7-yard pass or a 5-yard pass, we'll take that too."
In the backfield, Central will utilize a slew of ball carriers including Tino Nance, Anthony Qualls, Shelby Cummings and Mason Byers.
Stopping the defense at the line will be pivotal to Central's success, Hibbs said.
"We have to keep them off Luke Crawley, and at the same time any time we decide to run the ball," he said. "I've been telling them since the beginning of conditioning, we need four yards a pop."
No matter the type of attack, tonight's game marks the beginning of a head coaching career for Hibbs and a final season for 15 seniors, and all want the first game to finish with a win.
"We have to start strong right now because it just gets tougher from here on out," Hibbs said.
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