In previewing his team’s upcoming opponents each week, Winder-Barrow High School football coach Ben Corley said he believes he is starting to sound like a broken record.
There is actually good reason for that.
Many of the teams in Region 8-AAAA have similar qualities which makes for tough sledding each time out. This Friday will be no different, Corley said, as the WBHS Bulldoggs make another trip to Conyers, this time to battle Salem High School.
“They are athletic and very well coached,” Corley said. “They are solid up front on offense. They are as good a defensive team as we will see. They rally to the football.”
The Bulldoggs are coming off a 40-14 loss to Rockdale County last week. It was a game where the final score does not show how improved the Bulldogg defense was, Corley said.
It will take another strong defensive effort for WBHS to have a chance this week.
“Salem has speed to burn,” the Bulldogg coach said. “Like everyone, they will be a challenge to defend.”
The Seminoles run the veer option and, according to Corley, are a “very disciplined team.”
While advancing to the postseason is not in the cards for WBHS this season, Corley said his team still has plenty to play for and is not ready to throw in the towel.
“Our kids have a lot of fight in them,” the coach said. “We are not happy with what our record is, but we aren’t finished with this season either. We can still make some significant strides in getting to where we need to be. We still have some goals that we can meet. I hope we can relish the role of spoiler and keep some teams from getting in the playoffs.”
Following this week’s game against Salem on the road, the Bulldoggs will host Clarke Central Oct. 30 before closing out the 2009 campaign against Loganville Nov. 6 on the road.
“We want to play well the rest of the way and look to get some more wins,” Corley said. “That is what we are aiming for. That would give us a springboard into the offseason and something to build on for the future.”
Salem, coached by Chad Estes, is coming off a big 42-7 thumping of Cedar Shoals last week.
The Seminoles are currently 4-3 and remain in the playoff chase although they would likely need to win out to qualify. Corley’s mention of being a spoiler could happen as soon as this Friday with a WBHS road win in Conyers.
