Enterprise set to face Bogue Chitto

Published 11:05 am Thursday, August 25, 2016

Photo by Jonathan Alford /Enterprise quarterback Zach Hodges attempts to evade an Ehtel defender. Enterprise defeated Ethel 36-14 last Friday.

Photo by Jonathan Alford /Enterprise quarterback Zach Hodges attempts to evade an Ehtel defender. Enterprise defeated Ethel 36-14 last Friday.

A 55-0 loss to Loyd Star in the storied Possum Bowl was undoubtedly not the start Bogue Chitto head coach Gareth Sartin and the Bobcats had hoped for.

It was clear before the season got underway that the Bobcats would be a young team in 2016 and it showed it the loss. During the game, the chemistry seemed to be a bit off at times between newly installed Bobcats’ quarterback, Tre Nettles, and his center. As a result, several snaps were mishandled, which cost Bogue Chitto possession on a few occasions.

“We just didn’t play extremely well,” Sartin said.  “We hurt ourselves with turnovers. The snapping miscues hurt us on offense as well.”

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The Bobcats’ head coach said his team will have to improve on offense and defense if they are to emerge victorious against Enterprise tonight.

“On defense, we need to do a good job of tackling and limiting big plays,” he said. “On offense, we have to do a good job of taking care of the football.”

Like Loyd Star, Enterprise features an offense that is heavily invested in the run game, and for good reason. The Yellow Jackets have two of the deadliest runners in the area in senior quarterback Zach Hodges and junior running back Tanner Waldrop.

Hodges scorched Ethel’s defense in a 34-16 victory last Friday, as he rushed for 255 yards. Waldrop rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Jackets last year and is sure to be a threat as well. In last season’s contest against Bogue Chitto, he rushed for 84 yards on four carries.

Sartin said his team will be on the lookout for Hodges after his performance last week, but added that the Jackets also have other players who are threats to score as well.

“Zach is someone we will watch but there are also other players we have to concentrate on,” he said. “Their tailback  is good, and they also have some receivers on their team who are pretty good.”

Enterprise head coach Brooks Burns said he was pleased with his team’s effort after the season-opening victory.

“Zach is an explosive athlete.  I thought Ethel gave him a lot of opportunities. I was more pleased with the effort from the offensive line.”

Looking to their game against the Bobcats, Coach Burns said their plan is the same as last week.

“We are going to take what the defense gives us and try to eliminate turnovers and penalties,” he said.

“On defense we just have to make sure we are positioned to make plays.”