Scoop27
09-27-2013, 09:23 AM
By JOEL LUNA joel.luna@thefacts.com | 0 comments
WEST COLUMBIA — Coming off a canceled contest and a second-half collapse, Columbia is itching to see improvement.
The Roughnecks (2-1) will host Hempstead (1-2) in a nondistrict matchup at 7:30 p.m. today at Griggs Field on homecoming.
With one more nondistrict game with Bay City coming up, Columbia is still working some young players into the mix.
“We just want to see improvement in each ball game,” Columbia coach Randy Lynch said. “So far we’ve done a pretty good job of improving, but we are coming off a bad half against Wharton and not playing last week could be a good thing or bad.”
Lightning canceled the game against Houston Kashmere last week, but even going into that contest the offense seemed to be miles ahead of the defense.
Offensively, the Roughnecks are averaging 398.3 yards per contest, but the Roughneck defense is giving up 387 yards a game.
“We’ve had a pretty good week of practice so far,” Lynch said. “Of course we didn’t have any injuries last week, but we didn’t get any game time experience for some players. Defensively we are still trying to find the right pieces for the puzzle, and it has been a week-to-week thing. Our secondary has been pretty steady, but the front eight guys, it’s changed from week to week. We just want them to step in and do their jobs.”
Sophomore running back Dakarius Bell (92 carries, 592 yards, 6.43 per carry, eight TDs) has been somewhat of a surprise in the backfield.
“We felt good because he was pretty strong as a freshman,” Lynch said. “He is a strong kid, not too big, but thick. We didn’t expect him to get as many attempts that first game, but he handled it. But he is still learning when it comes down to what to do to prepare for Friday nights.”
Bell’s quick start to the season has actually helped junior quarterback Jarius Kesee (43 attemps, 24 completions, 341 yards, two interceptions, .558 completion percentage, three TDs) settle in.
“I do believe it helped the passing game because we are more of a spread offense this year,” Lynch said. “But the offensive line has really gelled well together and some of those guys did have experience from last season. But we want to be more balanced on our offense, and Jarius is certainly picking up the passing game well.”
This is the third meeting between these two schools with the series knotted up at 1-1, but it was the Bobcats who held down the Roughnecks last season, 32-17.
Will Smith is under center and has passed for 216 yards on 12 completions throwing for two touchdowns and five interceptions. Smith has a 29 percent passing rate. He also leads the ground game with 152 yards on 30 carries and a score.
The Bobcats are giving up 43 points a game, while scoring 20 a contest.
“This is a big challenge for us and they didn’t play last week either,” Lynch said. “They are a talented team and are just two years removed from playing in the state championship game so some of those guys are still there.”
Homecoming festivities will start at 6:50 p.m., prior to the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
WEST COLUMBIA — Coming off a canceled contest and a second-half collapse, Columbia is itching to see improvement.
The Roughnecks (2-1) will host Hempstead (1-2) in a nondistrict matchup at 7:30 p.m. today at Griggs Field on homecoming.
With one more nondistrict game with Bay City coming up, Columbia is still working some young players into the mix.
“We just want to see improvement in each ball game,” Columbia coach Randy Lynch said. “So far we’ve done a pretty good job of improving, but we are coming off a bad half against Wharton and not playing last week could be a good thing or bad.”
Lightning canceled the game against Houston Kashmere last week, but even going into that contest the offense seemed to be miles ahead of the defense.
Offensively, the Roughnecks are averaging 398.3 yards per contest, but the Roughneck defense is giving up 387 yards a game.
“We’ve had a pretty good week of practice so far,” Lynch said. “Of course we didn’t have any injuries last week, but we didn’t get any game time experience for some players. Defensively we are still trying to find the right pieces for the puzzle, and it has been a week-to-week thing. Our secondary has been pretty steady, but the front eight guys, it’s changed from week to week. We just want them to step in and do their jobs.”
Sophomore running back Dakarius Bell (92 carries, 592 yards, 6.43 per carry, eight TDs) has been somewhat of a surprise in the backfield.
“We felt good because he was pretty strong as a freshman,” Lynch said. “He is a strong kid, not too big, but thick. We didn’t expect him to get as many attempts that first game, but he handled it. But he is still learning when it comes down to what to do to prepare for Friday nights.”
Bell’s quick start to the season has actually helped junior quarterback Jarius Kesee (43 attemps, 24 completions, 341 yards, two interceptions, .558 completion percentage, three TDs) settle in.
“I do believe it helped the passing game because we are more of a spread offense this year,” Lynch said. “But the offensive line has really gelled well together and some of those guys did have experience from last season. But we want to be more balanced on our offense, and Jarius is certainly picking up the passing game well.”
This is the third meeting between these two schools with the series knotted up at 1-1, but it was the Bobcats who held down the Roughnecks last season, 32-17.
Will Smith is under center and has passed for 216 yards on 12 completions throwing for two touchdowns and five interceptions. Smith has a 29 percent passing rate. He also leads the ground game with 152 yards on 30 carries and a score.
The Bobcats are giving up 43 points a game, while scoring 20 a contest.
“This is a big challenge for us and they didn’t play last week either,” Lynch said. “They are a talented team and are just two years removed from playing in the state championship game so some of those guys are still there.”
Homecoming festivities will start at 6:50 p.m., prior to the 7:30 p.m. kickoff.