Despite its 0-7 record, the Winder-Barrow High School football team is not giving in.
With Salem High School (3-5) visiting W. Clair Harris Stadium this Friday for homecoming, WBHS head coach David Wagner knows the foe once again will be a tough one.
“They’ve played some people tough,” Wagner said. “They are good defensively and run the Wing-T on offense. They have three backs who can fly. Their fullback is very fast. Once he gets it, he’s gone.”
Wagner said the two opponents this Friday are similar in that both have relied on their defense.
“Their defense has also been their strong suit,” the Bulldogg coach said. “They make plays defensively like all good teams do.”
While the 2010 season has not gone the way Wagner would have hoped, the first-year WBHS coach said there is still plenty to compete for this fall.
“We have three games left and there is still a great deal we can accomplish,” Wagner said. “We have taken several positive strides and continue to play hard for 48 minutes even if the game is out of reach. In situations like that, you can continue to fight or duck your head. In time, something good is going to happen for us. A win would put a new light on everything. There is nothing like getting a win or two under your belt to help make things turn around. A win would go a long way in mending some pains.”
Salem fullback Jahaad Coleman will help lead the Seminoles offensively.
“Stopping him will be key for us,” Wagner said. “He’s the complete package with size and speed.”
The WBHS coach said he believes if his team can get an early lead, the defense could take control of the way the game is played the rest of the way.
“Our defense has been our strength and it would mean so much for us not to be in an early deficit,” Wagner said. “When you are always fighting to get back in a game or to catch up, it makes it tough. That’s why if we could get the early lead, I think the outcome would be different. That would really help us as we go into the offseason with the momentum of some victories.”
•The Game: Winder-Barrow (0-7) hosts Salem (3-5), Friday, 7:30 p.m., W. Clair Harris Stadium
•Last Week: WBHS lost to Loganville 32-7 while Salem defeated Cedar Shoals 24-21
•Key Players: WBHS: LB/TE Hogan Anderson, OL Will Whisenant, DL Jody Royal, RB Atrez Gladmon; Salem: FB Jahaad Coleman, QB Damion Gordon
•Game Notes: The Bulldoggs hope to get into the win column this week during their homecoming game. Coach David Wagner said he would like to see his team start strong and play with a lead to allow the defense to take control of the contest. Salem defeated Cedar Shoals on a late field goal last Friday. Both teams have been eliminated from postseason contention.
