The Locker Room November 1, 2006

Hello again Cougar Fans, and welcome back to week ten of the season, and another week here at cougarfootball.net. Our Cougars lost another hard fought game last week at the hands of the Christiansburg Blue Demons, but there were some signs of life that have been missing this season to give us hope. For the first time all season, the offense seemed to be clicking the way we wanted it too. It’s hard to take losing a game when you have two running backs over 100 yards (Poindexter 125, Peak 101) and quarterback Shay Dunnigan threw the ball for 112 yards and a touchdown, as well as running for a touchdown himself. We had seven different running backs run the ball for a total of 289 yards rushing, and four different people catch the ball. In the end, the Cougars took the ball down the field to come within striking distance of a win, but the onside kick….which I have to say was executed pretty well by freshman place kicker Dustin Bain…..was recovered by the Blue Demons and they were able to run out the clock to end the game. The Cougars never gave up, and they seemed to come together in this one, even if they didn’t get the win. Several folks have mentioned how they were supporting each other and getting the crowd into the game on the sidelines, something we haven’t seen very much of this season. Keep working guys, just keep working.

This past week in the River Ridge District, there weren’t any real surprises. Hidden Valley beat Blacksburg in what sounded like a pretty good game. Salem remained undefeated and moved their winning streak to 29 games with a blowout win over Cave Spring. The Salem win means that if they can pull off a win against Blacksburg this week, they would lock at least a share of the RRD Title. From looking at the power points, baring some crazy turn of events no other division 4 team in the River Ridge District will have the power points needed to make the playoffs if Salem wins the District Title. That will mean that the RRD Title winner (presumably Salem), the Blue Ridge District winner (presumably William Fleming), and then Heritage and Amherst will be playing in the Region 3 Division 4 semifinal games the week after the end of the regular season.

I’ve tried to find a way, but folks it’s just not going to happen this year. Pulaski County High School will have a ten game season this year, and then they will turn in equipment and start getting ready for next season. I know that a lot of Cougar fans are disappointed at the way things have turned out this season, but I think if we take a long hard look at things, we can actually find some things to hold our heads up about. First of all, with the exception of the Hidden Valley game, we have been in every game up until the end. Second, this team has overcome a couple of hard breaks this season to even be competitive. The loss of Crouse, the passing away of Mr. Dobson, injuries to several key players at very inopportune moments, and having to play some very young players in positions that demand an experienced and confident player are but a few. To their credit though, the players and coaches have never given up, and have played hard to the end each game. With that all in mind, I would also offer that after 27 years of success, this may have just been the Cougars year for a down season. You cant win all the time, and Pulaski County, historically, has been a winner. The only thing left to do now is prepare and play hard for these last two games of the 2006 season, work to build some success for next season, and work to play the spoiler role for somebody.

Pulaski County football players….the pressure is off. Even if you win the next two games, that will still be our last two games this year. So go out there and play the way we know you can, leave it all on the field, and when the final second clicks off that clock on November 10th, walk off that field with your heads high. Pulaski County High School will return to form, and when it does….payback will be rough for some folks.

Let’s all head down to Dwight Bogle Stadium this Friday night and let the Cougars know we’re still behind them. It’s Friday night football I the River Ridge District, lets go out with a bang Cougars!!

WE BELIEVE!!

GO COUGARS!! BEAT THE KNIGHTS!!

Cougars by the Numbers
by Ardent Cougar

The 2006 Cougars have scored first in 5 out of 8 games.

The 2006 Cougars have not given up as much as a single point in the first quarter, all season.

The 2006 Cougars have led in the 2nd Quarter of 5 games, in the 3rd Quarter of 4 games, and in the 4th Quarter of 3 games.

We're 1-7???

Certain Cougar teams of the past have nicknames.

1991 was "The Team That Wouldn't Quit."

1997, the team that overcame 4th Quarter deficits in 5 games, some call "The Miracle Team."

I dub the 2006 Cougars, "The Team That Couldn't Catch A Break."