CAP-7 CONFERENCE FOOTBALL
Sam Bauckham (left) and the Spartans face Grayson Hawkins and the Pride Friday at 7 p.m. Both teams are coming off difficult losses last week, and look to rebound with a win.
Pride, Spartans stage showdown Friday
Green, Lewis talk about upcoming match-up
While the Leesville Road (7-1) and Sanderson (1-6) football teams might be on opposite sides of the win-loss column, both squads find themselves in the same position entering Friday night's match-up: battling to get back on track.
After a thrilling, though disappointing, 35-32 loss to Wakefield last week, in hindsight the Pride suffered more than a discouraging defeat.
According to Leesville Road coach David Green, starting quarterback Josh Stanley was injured against the Wolverines and will not be behind center against the Spartans Friday.
And with back-up Austin Berrios also sidelined with an injury — suffered during a beautiful 51-yard touchdown catch against Wakefield — the Pride's QB position is an area of uncertainty right now.
Asked who will see the majority of snaps Wednesday, Green honestly answered, "I'm not sure yet. We are working out a few guys there."
As for the Spartans, they will be trying to rebound following their own disheartening loss, allowing Millbrook to pull away late for a 42-24 victory.
What's Sanderson have going for it? Well, the Spartans have the only healthy first-string quarterback — Sam Bauckham — it seems around.
And the senior has thrown for more than 200 yards in each of his past two games.
For a closer look at the teams, NorthRaleighSports.com breaks down what else people should pay attention to.
What to know about Leesville Road entering Friday's game ...
With Stanley and Berrios likely out, expect — not surprisingly — the Pride's offense to lean on its experienced line and its stable of running backs.
Seniors Nate Whittington and Dylan Edwards combined for just nine carries Friday against Wakefield, and that should easily double that against Sanderson. (Whittington scored the Pride's lone rushing TD Friday on a three-yard run in the fourth quarter.)
The Pride found success Friday utilizing the option, especially during a second-quarter drive which yielded 57 yards on just five plays. Unfortunately, the series ended with a fumble, but expect Leesville to get Thurston Cox and Whittington into situations where they can use their speed.
Logan Bible is coming off a four-catch, 84-yard performance as well.
One week after squaring off with phenom Nigel King, the Pride face another receiving standout, Sanderson's Matt James, this week.
At 6-foot-6 and jaw-dropping athleticism, James presents several of the same challenges as King did.
The Wakefield junior caught 10 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns against the Pride.
"We will have to do a better job on Matt this week than we did on Nigel last week," Green reasoned. "Or it will be a long night for us."
Much like he did against King a week earlier, expect 6-foot-4 defensive back Grayson Hawkins to shade toward James to combat the receiver's size.
With star safety Ryan Mangum still out, Leesville's inexperienced secondary will be tested again.
But if you give Cox enough chances, the senior has the ball skills to make opponents pay.
During a second-half interception against Wakefield, Cox read a Wakefield route beautifully and made a tiptoe-ing interception on the sidelines.
Green said the Pride's injuries have come in bunches, but excuses don't carry any weight with him.
"We'll miss Josh, but the ball game is Friday night and we have to show up and play," he said. "We'll have to play as a team, if we want to pull out the win.
"Because in the Cap-7, you have to show up every week."
What to know about Sanderson entering Friday's game ...
Don't confuse the Spartans' 1-6 season with an inability to move the ball. It isn't so much a lack of offense which is the issue keeping the Spartans from reaching their potential, it's their propensity for turnovers.
With four giveaways against Wakefield two games ago, and a costly fourth-quarter miscue against Millbrook last week, which triggered the Wildcats' 21-point outburst, the Spartans' own mistakes have played a prominent role in their defeats.
"People on the outside looking in probably aren't talking about us," Sanderson coach Tony Lewis said. "But if we can stop making turnovers, and take care of the ball, our offense has moved the ball well all year."
Ironically, Lewis pointed out, the one contest the Spartans didn't move the ball consistently was their one victory, a 22-20 win over New Bern Sept. 18.
With James, Chris Lampkins and Derrick Powell, Sanderson is just a snap away from the big play.
Entering its match-up with Leesville, the Spartans have their share of bumps and bruises, but the coach said it is unlikely anyone will sit out.
As for the Pride's injuries, Lewis had no doubt the Pride would be prepared to play, and play well, despite the personnel changes.
"I know whoever is back there at quarterback, Coach Green will have them ready to play," he said. "He is a good coach with a lot of experience, and he'll have his guys ready."
With four conference games yet to play, the Spartans still have plenty to fight for, including a postseason bid. But this opportunity won't last long.
"There's a lot to play for. I want our kids to know that," Lewis said. "But that window will close fast with a loss Friday. We have a chance, and that's all we can ask for right now."
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Leesville Road is celebrating homecoming Friday as well.
