Prep Football: Racking Up The Miles
It wasn't a "must win" situation by any standards, but Harrisburg's 16-6 win over Du Quoin last Friday night couldn't have come at a better time.
"There's no doubt that's a great win," Harrisburg head coach Al Way said. "To start 0-2 and possibly 0-3 before you begin conference play is tough, it's tough to overcome something like that. Right now, we have one win under our belt and it's against a quality team. Now we have a chance to have a winning season and make the playoffs."
It's the first of four wins Harrisburg would need just to become playoff eligible. The next step for Way and company would be posting a W this week, but the Bulldogs are going to have to do some traveling to get it.
In a trip that would be sure to reward the frequent flyer, Harrisburg will make the near 2-hour trek to Boonville, Indiana about 30 minutes east of Evansville.
Last year, it was Harrisburg who thwarted the Pioneers 34-20. It was also the second straight win for Harrisburg following a Week 1 loss to Mt. Carmel.
So, this year, Harrisburg lost to Mt. Carmel and is now hoping to repeat history with back-to-back wins to close out the first half of non-conference play.
Still, Way knows that will be no easy task.
"They are a combination of power football, but they will also spread you out," he said of the Pioneers who are 1-2 to start the season in the Hoosier State.
Back for the Pioneers is Camden Cartwright, who last season, rushed for 238 yards and two scores in the loss at Taylor Field.
Way expects to see much of the same, if not more, from the Pioneers Friday.
"Cartwright is an exceptional running back," Way said. "He's elusive and has great speed. They also throw the ball well and have good skill kids. They are always a threat for the big play and if we want to win, that's where we can't beat."
As simple as it sounds, Way knows that if his Bulldogs play good defense - like he knows they are capable of doing - they would come out on top.
"The defense is going to get a lot of different looks Friday night. We have to be heads up and know the rules. That was the big thing about our win at Du Quoin, we played so much better defensively. Up front we were more aggressive and our secondary coverage was good. We got a good pass rush. It was just a good night."
Way also complimented the offensive line, which helped pave the way for a 298 yard night on the ground for Harrisburg.
That will be another key to victory for Harrisburg
"We have to control the line of scrimmage," Way said. "We can't stop ourselves with silly mistakes, a lot like we did on a few occasions at Du Quoin. We can't give up the big play and Boonville just has that potential to break one on you at anytime. The Cartwright kid is exceptional and we just have to stay away from the big play."
As for the big drive, Harrisburg will leave Friday and Way's hope is that a long trip won't have adverse effects.
"I don't think there is anything you can do," Way said in response to being asked about having some kind of secret formula. "You just hope the kids are ready to go when they get off the bus."
Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register and Eldorado Daily Journal. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.