WINDSOR – They’re getting ready the same way all others have.

The Falcons are focusing on stopping LaMarcus Bond, Danny Dembry and the high-powered Hertford County offense.

And while second-year Bertie mentor Willie Roberson is preparing his team for Friday’s contest with Hertford County commonly known as the Backyard Brawl, he is fully aware that his counterpart is getting ready too.

&uot;Greg Watford always has his team prepared,&uot; Roberson said. &uot;They’re coming in here with a three-game winning streak and they’ll be ready.&uot;

Indeed the Bears are riding the best three games of their season, having knocked off Currituck, Pasquotank and First Flight in successive weeks. The Falcons, however are also riding a three-game winning mark having knocked off Northeastern, Currituck and First Flight.

&uot;We have a winning streak of our own, I guess,&uot; Roberson said. &uot;Somebody’s will be broken Friday night.&uot;

Roberson said there was no need for him to pretend Bertie would do anything differently than they have done in every other game they’ve played this season and every other time they’ve met Hertford County.

&uot;We know each other,&uot; he said. &uot;I know Greg’s going to run that double-wing at me and he knows I’m going to run the Power-I,&uot; Roberson said.

The coach stressed his offense would have to eliminate turnovers and would need to execute to have any chance of victory.

&uot;We’re not going to do anything fancy,&uot; he said. &uot;We’re going to do what we’ve been doing.&uot;

Offensive blocking will be a major part of any success the Falcons are to have.

Defensively, the Falcons are planning to do what they have a reputation for – hit people hard.

&uot;Basically, we’re going to be extremely physical – that’s what football is about,&uot; Roberson said. &uot;We’re going to hit them and hope things go our way.&uot;

The coach said he knew the defense would have to tackle well.

&uot;In order for us to stand a chance, the entire defensive unit has to step up and make sure tackles,&uot; he said. &uot;Their backs are slippery and will break tackles if you’re not sure with your tackles.&uot;

The Falcons come into the contest with a chance to win the Northeastern Coastal Conference, despite entering play at 4-6 on the season. Robeson said he knew early on the tough non-conference slate would help his team in the long run.

&uot;Whenever you play a tough schedule and practice hard, it makes you hard,&uot; Roberson insisted. &uot;We are seeing some of the benefits from playing the hard non-conference schedule.&uot;

The coach said his team had endured injuries and a 0-5 start, but could make their season more successful with a win Friday.

&uot;We have overcome a lot of obstacles,&uot; he said. &uot;We know that right now, the playoffs and anything else we might achieve goes through Hertford County.&uot;