The (1-1) Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs will host the (1-1) Normangee Panthers in a week-three district matchup this Friday.
After a rough performance on the road last week against the Hearne Eagles, the Bulldogs are sitting on a .500 record in district and will need to dig deep facing strong competition down the stretch for playoff contention.
Bulldog head coach Brett Ratliff is working on consistency with his team, considering most of these games seem to rely on setting a tone in the second half.
“Ultimately, the good and bad does not matter as much as how you respond to it,” said Ratliff. “We have also talked about being ‘closers.’ In every first half this year, we have been within a score or ahead. So, we have opened well and just need to work on closing those games.”
Corrigan’s protection upfront has struggled at times, limiting some of the offense’s big-play opportunities
The Bulldog defense, a main strength of the team in recent years, has also been sucker punched at times to allow big plays from aggressive offenses.
“Obviously, we have to work on blitz pickup with the offensive line. Nothing has changed, systematically. It is just the mindset that, at no point, can you relax,” Ratliff said. “We have to keep our level of play continuously high.”
Despite struggling in recent years, the Panthers have improved so far this season under third-year head coach Danny Mitchell.
Normangee is coming off a tight 28-26 district victory at home over the Groveton Indians.
Although, the Panthers did get blown out week-one in district visiting the Leon Cougars.
During its non-district schedule, Normangee lost big against to everyone (Somerville, Iola, Bruceville-Eddy and Rosebud-Lott) except during week three with a 20-12 win on the road versus the Snook Bluejays.
In last season’s district opener, the Bulldogs secured a commanding 38-14 victory over the Panthers on the road. Despite some mistakes and multiple turnovers, Corrigan’s high-energy offense made crucial big plays, while still establishing the run.
According to Ratliff, the Panthers spread attack still operates similarly to Corrigan’s offense, although primarily from shotgun. Unlike the quick bursts from Hearne last week, Normangee will try to make the Bulldog defenders think twice on which direction to swarm.
“Normangee throws a lot of the same pass concepts and inside quarterback runs that we do. Our defense will need to line up sound and not be able to vacate our areas as fast,” Ratliff explained. “[Hearne] was so quick, but there is a lot more misdirection in what Normangee does. So, we have to
sit and be more patient.”
Normangee’s offense is led by sophomore quarterback and returning starter Marshall Harris. Panther sophomore wide receiver Wyatt Kimich is also expected to be a key weapon in Normangee’s passing attack.
“Harris is a solid quarterback and everything runs through him. If they want to run the ball, it is most likely with him and he also does a good job throwing,” said Ratliff. “They will try to get the ball out fast. We will be in good shape if we can stop him.”
Kickoff for this Friday’s district matchup is set for 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.
