The Locker Room November 2, 2005

Pulaski County has had a good week of practice after last weeks disappointing River Ridge District loss, but it’s going to take a total team effort for the Cougars to pull out a win this week against the visiting Cave Spring Knights.

Hello again Cougar Fans, and welcome back to week 10 of Pulaski County's season and another week at Cougarfootball.net. As I’m sure all of you are aware, last Friday night was a rough night to be a Cougar Fan over in Christiansburg. There are a lot of things that could be said about last weeks loss, the Cougars worst loss since 1975, when the Cougars lost to Bluefield, WV 69-12. The bottom line though is that there are only a couple of things that matter. First, Pulaski County cannot afford to lose another game. If the Cougars want to make the playoffs, they need to get hot and start winning. They could possibly get in with a 6-4 record, but 7-3 would be much better. Second, there were some distractions last week. It was evident by anyone who watched the team as they warmed up and got ready to play. Some players simply did not have their heads in the game and weren’t prepared. They went to Christiansburg thinking that since they had beaten the Blue Demons five years in a row, they would easily do so again. I’ve been assured that those distractions have been addressed and dealt with. The Cougars have had a fine week of practice, and should come down those 63 steps this coming Friday night focused and ready to play. So lets put last week behind us for good and look at what we have in store for this weeks game.

The Cave Spring Knights......what can you say? This team has given us more great games than I care to remember. We have had 12 games decided by a touchdown or less when playing against this team. Two of which were overtime thrillers. Pulaski County leads the series 22 games to 7. The Cougars have won 13 out of the last 14 contests, and 20 out of the last 22. Let’s be honest about last year….the Cougars got lucky. The Knights drove the ball down the field, and as time expired off the clock a field goal attempt went wide right and the Cougars won the game 21-20. Pulaski County played well that night, but Cave Spring played just as well. I’m pretty sure the Knights coaching staff would like nothing more than to avenge that loss with a big win at Dobson Stadium. Cave Spring comes into this contest sporting a fine 7-1 record, with their only loss coming last week in Salem. The Knights drove the field and scored with under a minute to go in the game, and decided to go for the two point conversion instead of playing for overtime. The outcome was that the quarterback was called either down or out of bounds short of the end zone, but some claim to have photo proof that not only was he not short, but that he held the ball out over the goal line and scored what would/should have been the winning two point conversion. In a classy move by both the Knights quarterback and Coaching staff, both have stated that while they feel like he did cross the goal line, they won't complain or contest the call.

So here we are again. The Cougars are now 5-3 on the season, and looking for a way to make the playoffs for the first time in several years. This group of seniors have NEVER been to the playoffs. Last years season ended at 8-2 and sitting at home while others played on. Unless the Cougars can pull it together and play the rest of their season like the team that left Franklin County a couple of weeks ago, they may find themselves home and getting ready for basketball season early again. The Coaches have put together a plan that can get them there, now its all up to the players. I know, Coach Turner will always say “when we win, the kids did great….when we lose, the coaches did something wrong”. Well, I don’t believe that. I believe you win together and you lose together. Everybody has to do their jobs to win, and that includes players AND coaches. We have some of the best coaches and players in the State on this team, and I for one don’t want to see them go down without a fight. Cougar players, leave it all out on the field. Win or lose, we’re behind you.

Cougar Fans, this is do or die time for our team. We’re asking them to put it all out on the line, and now I’m going to ask you to put it out on the line too. Being a Cougar Fan is more than coming out to the game and clapping when the team scores. BE LOUD!!! When you see that team coming down those steps GET UP OFF YOUR HANDS AND MAKE SOME NOISE!!! Bring your shaker bottles, bring out your cow bells, bring out your noise makers, bring out your flags!! These are your friends, your fellow students, your kids, your cousins, your brothers, and your neighbors. LET’S MAKE SURE THEY KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE ALL THEIR HARD WORK!!!

Student section, you guys have been great this year, but I want to hear and see you step it up a notch!! This is your team, let them know your there!!!

There will be a letter handed out starting tomorrow asking for local businesses to put “GO COUGARS” on their signs and billboards in front of their stores. If your work in Dublin or Pulaski, ask them to put something out there. This is our school, this is our team, these are our kids!!! Lets show them some support folks!!

I, for one, plan on being without a voice at the end of the game. I invite you to join me.

GO COUGARS!!!! BEAT THE KNIGHTS!!!

Friday, November 4 - Cave Spring Knights (Home):

Series: PC leads 22-7
Biggest Cougar Winning Margin: 42, 1993 (49-7) , 1995 (49-7), 2003 (42-0)
Biggest Cougar Losing Margin: -42, 1978 (0-42)
Closest Game: 1999 Cougars 35, Knights 34 (OT). One of the Greatest Games in Cougar History, and my personal favorite.
Average Score: Cougars 24, Knights 15
Last meeting: 2004 at Cave. Result: Cougars 21-20.  One of the Greatest Games in Cougar History, and the last  of three thrilling last-second one-point victories for the Cougars last season.