This Friday’s game at Loganville is important for several reasons for the Winder-Barrow High School football team.
First, coach Ben Corley wants his team to finish the 2009 season on a positive note and defeating last season’s region champs would definitely be a way to do that.
Second, Corley wants his team to do well this Friday in order for it to carry over into the offseason. With several months of weight training and offseason conditioning ahead, it’s important for the final game of this season to have positives associated with it, the Bulldogg coach said.
Finally, Corley wants his team to continue improving and to make progress. When a program is rebuilding, it’s vital.
“This week will be a challenge, just like previous weeks,” Corley said. “Loganville is a good team and has some quality players. It will be a challenge, but I know we can compete and do well if we do the things we are capable of doing.”
One big task awaiting WBHS this week will be stopping — or least slowing down — Red Devil Storm Johnson, a Miami (Fla.) committment. Corley said the Bulldoggs will not have a specific defense designed to stop him.
“Their quarterback is also a very good player and they have several good receivers,” Corley said. “They also have other good running backs so you can’t just key on him (Johnson.) He is a special talent, but he is not the only thing in their stable. We will try to contain him the best we can. It will be important to get to him early because he can really hurt you with his speed once he gets to the outside.”
The Bulldogg coaches will once again work on emphasizing the importance of third down — both offensively and defensively — this week.
“We’ve really pushed it the last couple of weeks,” Corley said. “In fact, we’ve worked on it all season.”
The coach said in the past three weeks, his team has faced an opposing quarterback who has been a dual threat as a runner and passer.
“You have to find ways to keep great athletes from making a play,” Corley said. “We will have that challenge again this week when we play Loganville.”
The Red Devils have plenty of incentive to play well this Friday as they are battling for one of the final playoff spots.
