The Locker Room October 12, 2005

Cougars Hope To Topple Titans

Pulaski County heads into River Ridge District play this week hoping to avenge last years 31-6 Homecoming loss to Hidden Valley, but problems with Bogle Field at Cave Spring Middle School may cause the game to be moved or even delayed.

Since the season ended last year, there has been a poster hanging in the Cougar locker room. It hangs right next to the door, so that each player has to look at it as they come in. One of the things on that poster is “Hidden Valley 31 Pulaski County 3”. Last years Homecoming loss to the Titans was no fluke. Hidden Valley came into Dobson Stadium with the talent and the game plan to beat the Cougars, but make no mistake about it, Pulaski County didn’t help itself either. The Cougars looked NOTHING like the team that had just went through a five game war, beating teams like Franklin County, William Fleming, Patrick Henry, and E.C. Glass. Pulaski looked tired, they looked sloppy, and they looked shocked as the Titans broke big play after big play and gave the Cougars their first loss of the season. The Hidden Valley Titans were one of two teams that kept the Cougars out of the playoffs last year. I would hope that the Cougars remember that this week. In case they forgot just what that looked like, let me remind you:

Pulaski County and Hidden Valley are tied in this series, with each team having one win each. Hidden Valley comes in to this weeks game with a sterling 5-0 record, but you have to question if they have really been tested to this point. The Titans have outscored their opponents 179-13 to this point, but with that said, their opponents have been William Byrd (0-6), Lord Botetourt (0-5), Patrick County (3-2), Northside (1-5), and Allegheny (1-5). That’s a combined 5-23 record. The team that played them closest, Patrick County, scored the 13 points against them. Patrick County is currently ranked at #74 out of 89 places in the Gilliam Ratings AA rankings.

Some things should start to shake out this week, one way or the other, in the River Ridge District. Currently there are three undefeated teams: Hidden Valley, Cave Spring, and Salem. At this point in the season, Salem would have to be the favorite to win the district, with its high powered offense and tight defense playing well against a slightly tougher out of district schedule than the rest of those mentioned. The good news for Cougar fans is that those two out of district losses wouldn’t matter if Pulaski can win district. The bad news is it may take that though, as once again this year we may see teams with 8-2 or even 9-1 records sitting at home come playoff time. At this point, all the Cougars can do is go out and play football the way they have been. If they can go out and do that, then we’ll just have to let the chips fall where they may and move on from there.

Be sure to check back this week, as soon as we get word one way or the other as to where and when the game will be played we’ll be sure to post that information for you. As it stands right now, I may not be able to make it out to the game this week. I was informed this morning that a very special young lady had passed away in her sleep from heart problems, and as much as I would love to make it out to the game, I really feel like I need to pay my respects to her on Friday if that is, in fact, when the funeral is held. Courtaney Shipman was a special woman who will be missed by many.

Rest assured though that if I cant make it out to the game, I’ll be listening in to Rick Watson and I’ll be their in spirit!! Somebody make some noise for me!!!

GO COUGARS!!! BEAT THE TITANS!!!! 

Friday, October 15 - Hidden Valley Titans (Away):

Series: Tied at 1-1.
Last Meeting: 2004 at PC.  Result: Titans 31-6.  The then 5th-ranked team in Division 4 got a stunning blow for Homecoming, when Hidden Valley's defense totally shut down the PC attack.  The Cougars did not cross the 50 under their own power, until late in the final quarter.  This loss ended up keeping PC out of the playoffs for a third consecutive season, for the first time since 1978.