Bulldogs host Providence Christian with first place on the line
Published 10:02 am Friday, October 5, 2018
- Photo/Jonah Enfinger
The Pike County Bulldogs have won four consecutive games, but tonight’s game against Providence Christian just may be their stiffest challenge of the season.
The Bulldogs (4-1, 3-0) match up with Providence Christian (6-0, 3-0) with first place in Region 2 on the line.
“We have had a good week of practice,” said head coach Fred Holland. “The guys realize what is at stake. It’s a big region game; we’re both 3-0. We realize that Providence is a good football team coming in here Friday night.”
The Bulldogs have faced their fair share of adversity in their four-game winning streak. Each win has been by six points or less. Last week, the Bulldogs overcame turnovers and narrowly escaped with a 20-14 win over Abbeville.
“We learned that you make it really tough on yourself when you have a lot of turnovers like we had last week,” Holland said. “We are trying to do a lot of positive things in a game. We just have to learn to not make a lot of mistakes. Not only that, we need to take advantage of the mistakes that they make.”
Winning the turnover battle begins at practice during the week, Holland said. Come game time, it’s about staying focused.
“Mainly it’s working through tough situations and being a lot more focused,” Holland said. “Sometimes you get lackadaisical on snaps or you don’t take care of the ball in traffic. Those things happen. You just have to learn to not let turnovers dictate a game.”
Limiting turnovers will go a long way in knocking off the undefeated Eagles this evening. The Eagles haven’t faced the same adversity the Bulldogs have faced. Five of their six wins have been by more than 20 points, including last week’s win over Dale County 32-7.
“They have two great backs,” Holland said. “With the quarterback and tailback they have, they do a good job of getting inside of those big guys and creating a lot of havoc. They have been doing it all year.”
The Bulldogs will play in their third-straight home game on Friday before heading out on a two-game road trip. The importance of playing at home in this game is not lost on Holland.
“It’s big,” Holland said. “You have the fans and their momentum. Playing at home gives you the opportunity to do a lot more things. You don’t have to worry about travel and all the things that go along with that. Playing at home is something that is very positive.”
Kick is scheduled for 7 p.m.