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Aggies seek to end two-game slide
Published September 25, 2008
The Albertville Aggies will try to snap a two-game losing streak when they play host to an unfamiliar opponent, John Carroll Catholic, for homecoming.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at McCord Field at Aggie Stadium.
The Aggies (2-2) have won two consecutive homecoming games.
John Carroll, of Birmingham, is 2-2. The Cavaliers opened with a 41-25 loss to Pinson Valley, and then beat Chelsea 28-21.
The Cavs lost to No. 7 Briarwood Christian 28-7 in week three before defeating Pleasant Grove 34-19 last weekend.
Adric Merchant, a sophomore, rushed for 194 of his 249 yards in the second half against Pleasant Grove. He scored three touchdowns on runs of 78, 28 and 53 yards.
“John Carroll runs a veer-option style offense along with a play-action passing game off of the veer running plays,” said Aggie head coach Tommy Tharp.
“They occasionally get in the ‘I’ and sometimes the spread, but the option is what makes them go.
“Defensively, they are a 4-2-5 scheme, which is something we don’t see very often, so that will be a challenge.”
Tharp said Cavaliers’ quarterback Jordan Evans operates their option scheme “very well.”
“They have put up some huge offensive numbers with Evans at the helm,” he added.
Tharp described Merchant as a “burner.”
“He is just a 10th-grader but runs with great authority,” he said. “He is as good as any we have faced in a long while.
“They also have a couple of big wide receivers in Justin Bell and Travis Brooks. Tall, fast and good hands. They will be tough for us to match up against.
“Nick Bertella plays middle linebacker for them and does a fine job. He’s big, thick and runs well. If we can’t block him, we will be in for a long night offensively.”
Tharp said the Aggies must control the line of scrimmage against the Cavs.
“If we do that, we can play with most. When we don’t, we can’t play with anyone,” he said.
“Our effort has been great all four games this year, and we are two plays away from being 4-0, but the bottom line is we didn’t make those plays. We have to make plays at critical times in the ballgame.
“And, we have to score when given the opportunity. Fumbles, mental mistakes and things like that really, really, hurt you when you are a ball control team like we are.
“I do love our effort, however. Our mistakes have been because of giving great effort, but maybe being a bit overzealous at times where control is more in order.”
Tharp and his assistant coaches have continued to stress the importance of not beating themselves to their players during practice sessions.
“If it were mistakes due to laziness, I think that is one thing. Our mistakes have been made by trying to accomplish our assignments too hard,” Tharp said.
“We have to calm down a little. The old adage of ‘getting fired up’ has nothing to do with real life. Focus, control, directed enthusiasm and energy are the keys.
“You can be ‘fired up’ all you want, whooping and hollering and screaming, but if you can’t execute your assignment, what have you accomplished?
“It is like the difference between WWF Wrestling and WBA Boxing. That wrestling stuff is all about the show. The outcome is decided long before the match begins.
“Boxing, where it is actually a real sport, those guys ain’t doing all that screaming and hollering and pointing crap. Look at their eyes … that’s focus. They know if they get distracted by anything, someone is about to knock their lights out.
“We have not dealt real well with distractions in our two losses. But, because of that, hopefully we have learned a lesson and can move on.
“Our kids’ effort has been tremendous, no doubt about that, but our focus and execution has been marginal. Our team knows this, and we will be better due to lessons learned.”
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