Calhoun County, Pelham face off in region showdown

The Calhoun County Cougars host the Pelham Hornets on Friday with both programs at different points in their respective seasons.

The Hornets (2-1) have won their past two games by a combined score of 95-0. Head coach Dondrial Pinkins said suffering a loss in the season opener has gotten his team on track heading into the 7:30 p.m. contest in Edison.

“I think Westover was an eye-opener for us,” he said. “I think Coach (Octavia) Jones does a great job with that program, but I think our guys maybe underestimated them a little bit and didn’t come out and play the way we’re capable of playing. I think if we play a better game it’s a different outcome.

“Since then, I think we’ve been more focused. We’ve went into games more prepared and not underestimating people and basically just out trying to make a statement.”

The Cougars are 0-2 so far but after a tough 38-32 loss to rival Randolph-Clay, Calhoun County head coach Detrich Wadley said his team is making strides, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

“We’ve had an improvement in efficiency. The offense is being ran more efficiently,” he said. “The timing of the plays, the running of the routes, blocking, all of that has improved.”

The Cougars will need to be as efficient as possible as they face a Pelham team that hasn’t given up a single point since the Westover game. Pinkins said the goal is to keep that streak going.

“Defensively, we’ve put together a solid game plan for this week, and we think if our guys go out and execute we’ll have a good shot at having a good night defensively,” he said.

He added that the Cougars have some playmakers that will keep the entire team on its toes.

“They have some talented guys, they’ll do some things that I think are going to give us some problems,” he said. “I think it’s going to come down to which coaches are going to make the adjustments.”

Wadley said last week’s game came down to stopping the big plays. He noted that the key to keeping themselves in the game against Pelham is keeping sophomore quarterback Kendrick Patterson and the Hornets’ backs and receivers from getting the home run plays. To do that, Wadley said his defense will have to play their most disciplined football of the season.

“We have to be very disciplined,” he said. “They have a couple of players that will hurt you, so we have to be very disciplined.”