The Locker Room October 7, 2009

The "second season" starts this Friday night, as the River Ridge District teams get into their district schedule.  Make no mistake about it, every week is a District Championship game as the Cougars hope to defend their 2008 title, starting with the visiting Christiansburg Blue Demons this week. 

Hello again Cougar fans, and I think I speak for everyone when I say it sure is good to see this years out of district schedule finally over with.  This may have been one of the toughest out of district schedules that Pulaski County has faced in some time.  It couldn't have come at a worse time for Pulaski either, as they started with one of the youngest and least experienced offensive and defensive lines in recent history.  All that is past now, however, and those young players now have five games under their belts.  Some players are starting to do a good job, and some players have started to show a little promise of things to come. 

It couldn't have come at a better time, as Pulaski County will kick off their district schedule this Friday night against the 5-0 Christiansburg Blue Demons.  Christiansburg comes into the contest riding a wave of success.  After a hard fought 17-14 overtime win over Floyd to start the season off, the Blue Demons have dominated their last four opponents.  They defeated Giles 55-0, Carroll County 23-7, Bassett 49-0, and last week they took down Patrick Henry 42-7 to kick things off in what has been their best start to a season in many years. 

The Blue Demons are starting to believe in themselves.  They are led defensively by a standout linebacker, 6'/212 pound senior Zach Weller who comes into the game with 83 tackles, 1 sack, an interception and a fumble recovery.  Don't make the mistake of thinking that he is the only solid defender they have though.  The Blue Demon defensive front is of good size and they are speedy.  The secondary plays the ball well and are aggressive to make the tackle or break on the ball when it's in the air.  The team has five interceptions on the season; all five were made by different players. 

Offensively the Blue Demons bring a solid line and a host of speedy backs to run the ball.  Christiansburg has five main running backs, but the majority of the load has been placed on Greg Lee (63 carries, 521 yards, 6 touchdowns), Zach Snell (34 carries, 379 yards, 3 touchdowns), and Ryan Fisher (42 carries, 317 yards, 3 touchdowns).  Quarterback Steven Wills comes into the game completing 13 of 30 pass attempts for 184 yards and two touchdowns, while only giving up one interception.  He seems to spread the ball out well, as there are five different receivers with two or more receptions. 

The Cougars lead the series with the Blue Demons by a total of 8 games to 2.  Scoring wise, Pulaski has scored 400 points while only giving up 167.  The two Christiansburg victories came in the 2005 and 2006 seasons, years that certainly were lean years for the Cougars.  With the Blue Demons coming in on the high note that they currently have, they are hoping to get a third victory over the Cougars to start themselves off in the right direction for the River Ridge District title. 

I'm hoping the Pulaski County will have something to say about that. 

The Cougars have played better at times than their 2-3 record indicates.  People on Internet message boards have tried to find any excuse to explain why the Cougars played as well as they did in the second half of last week’s game.  Some folks have said that the Amherst Lancers came in last week with a team full of sick players.  So did Pulaski.  Against William Fleming, the Cougars just lost their footing after fighting tooth and nail for three and a half quarters.  Pulaski met Northside when they were the most prepared and ready they have been all season.  We've been outmatched and out "talented" in each of these games, yet we still fought.  Our kids never gave up and they never gave in.  Pulaski County will NEVER be given anything, and if this team or any other Cougar team wants something, they are going to have to go out and TAKE IT. 

It's time to crank things up another notch or two in Cougarland.  Players, coaches, fans, and anyone else involved are going to have to get things to the next level for the next five games if Pulaski County is going to be successful.   We're going to need the players to give just a little bit more.  We need the fans to be just a little bit louder.  We need the horn to blow just a little bit more, and we need that Cougar growl to get going over the PA. 

Pulaski County can defeat Christiansburg.  It's going to take unselfish play and a team effort.  The Cougars will have to do the basic things that they have been hurting on at times during the early part of the season to be successful.  Keep the penalties to an absolute minimum; we can’t shoot ourselves in the foot.  They will have to block at the point of attack, they will have to cut when they are supposed to cut and hit the hole, they will have to throw the ball quickly, and the receivers will have to make the catches they are supposed to make.  A few circus catches would be nice to see too.  On defense, Pulaski County MUST cut out the arm tackling, and they have to stop letting the runners get to the second level.  The secondary is going to have to make some big plays to keep Christiansburg from moving the ball deep.  The linebackers and ends are going to have to read their keys and stay home until it's time to attack, and then by God HIT SOMEBODY!! 

The time to use the excuse that we are a young and inexperienced team has now passed.  We've played some of the best competition in the State, and we've managed to survive it.  Now it's time to go out and play some football.  No more complaining, no more excuses, no more "what if".  Go out there for the next five games and leave it all on the field.  Get your stingers out and hit somebody.  This team has the ability and the skill, and they have been given the proper coaching.  Now it's time for the players to go out and execute.  It's time to play some COUGAR FOOTBALL!!! 

Game time is set for 7:30 at Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium/Joel Hicks Field.  Let's get out there and support our kids as they get into the meat of their district schedule, and start to defend their 2008 River Ridge District Title. 

GO COUGARS!!! BEAT THE BLUE DEMONS!!!!