Ben’s Ford Christian School plays its home opener tonight with a contest against Wilkinson County Christian Academy.
The teams come into the game with opposite records. Ben’s Ford is 0-2 while WCCA has won both of its games.
The Eagles lost last week’s game to Amite School Center, 54-24.
Ben’s Ford has been hit by the injury bug. Five players are sidelined this week because of various injuries, including Garrett Pounds, Gunter Miller, C.J. McClelland, Cole Williams and Carter Stewart.
“We’re plugging in some younger guys and needing them to step up right now,” Ben’s Ford coach Cole Holden said.
Turnovers have been another problem for Ben’s Ford. The Eagles have committed 10 turnovers so far this season.
“We’re stressing ball security in practice,” Holden said. “We’ve got to make sure we protect the football.”
Last week, quarterback Daniel Pittman completed 19 of 35 passes for 260 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.
Two of his touchdown passes went to Pounds, while Dionte Fernandez and Tucker Keating both had one touchdown reception.
Defensively, Holden said Robert Gaitan had the best game last week.
“He’s playing hard and he’s playing very physical right now,” Holden said.
Wilkinson enters this week at 2-0 after defeating Central Private, 28-13.
WCCA has thrown the ball just nine times this season in the first two games.
“Basically, we run the ball,” first-year coach Chris McGraw said. “We’re averaging over nine yards a carry.”
McGraw said there are five different running backs that he rotates, and eight players have at least one rushing attempt. He said he normally has fresh legs in the backfield.
The running backs are Caleb Poole, Kyle Folds, Steven Franks, Kevin Folds and Drew Skinner.
The quarterback is Phillip Tutrer.
Defensively, Wilkinson runs a variety of schemes. The Rams have allowed 91 and 93 yards to the opposing offenses during the first two games.
The top players include inside linebacker Hutch Holden, strong safety/linebacker Braden Passinger and linebacker Steven Franks. Hutch Holden has made 24 stops and a sack.
Passinger enters with 21 tackles and a sack while Franks has put up five sacks.
McGraw said the team rotates several players on the defensive line.