Bears look to make it a streak

Published 12:21 pm Wednesday, August 22, 2012

 

AHOSKIE – Two makes it a streak.

Hertford County High School will look to put together a streak on the gridiron Friday when they welcome the Trojans of Southeast Halifax. For that matter, the Trojans will be looking for one too.

Both teams enter Friday’s contest unbeaten as HCHS dropped visiting South Central High School 39-21 Friday while the Trojans topped county rival Northwest Halifax 34-12.

The Bears won just once on their home turf a year ago, and fourth-year HCHS mentor Scott Privott knows it would mean a lot to get a second win at home on week 2 of the 2012 campaign.

“I think our confidence level would be great,” he said. “Our kids are already flying high after winning Friday night. South Central is a great football team and with the way we played and the success we had, it gave us a great outlook.

“It’s a great feeling to have the first one down,” he added. “We didn’t play well at home last year and to get off to a 1-0 start and have the opportunity to be 2-0 before we take to the road would be a big plus for our program.”

Friday night, the Bears dominated the ground game in defeating South Central. Three HCHS running backs carried for more than 100 yards. Leading the way was Kenneth Sharpe Jr., who picked up 193 yards on 19 carriers. He was joined over the century mark by Tyus Leary (134) and Anthony Lassiter (101).

Privott said he was pleased with the running game and believed it would be a factor again.

“Our ability to run the football was a huge advantage for us Friday,” Privott said. “Anytime you rush for 476 yards, that’s a plus. We have to be successful on the ground again Friday.”

Another plus was the HCHS defense, who allowed 23 yards through three quarters against South Central.

“I was pleased with the defensive intensity,” the coach insisted. “I liked the way we got after them. If we play like that Friday night, we have a chance to be successful again.”

Southeast Halifax has a good ground game as well, according to Privott. JaQuez McDaniel led the Trojan attack against Northwest, rushing for 147 yards on just seven carries.

“They have a strong running game and we will have to be able to stop the run if we want to be successful Friday,” Privott said. “That will be our most important assignment on defense.”

The Bears will be looking to keep their defensive intensity up Friday when they welcome Southeast Halifax for a 7:30 p.m. affair.