High-scoring games have been more the norm that the exception for the New Hope High School football team.
After giving up 49 points in a loss to Columbus and scoring 49 in a victory against Caledonia, New Hope did itself one better last week in a 55-27 victory against Center Hill.
That victory was more important than the other two results because it was New Hope’s second game in Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A, Region 1 action. It was doubly important because it helped New Hope (4-2, 1-1 region) bounce back from a 42-13 loss to Clarksdale in its region opener.
Pickle hopes New Hope can continue to separate itself in the region at 7 tonight when it plays host to Lake Cormorant (4-3, 2-0).
Lake Cormorant is coming off a 55-6 victory against Lewisburg, but Pickle isn’t sure if that means another high-scoring affair will be in the offering this evening.
“We executed pretty good on offense (last week),” Pickle said. “I didn’t know what to expect going into the game. We didn’t play good against Clarksdale. … I thought we should have had 21 points at halftime and just didn’t do it. Whenever you throw the ball, if you’re a tad off it can cause some struggles and dropped balls can cause struggles.”
Senior quarterback Thomas Stevens helped change that by going 23 of 27 for 348 yards against Center Hill. The Trojans also rushed for 158 yards for their biggest offensive showing of the season (506 yards).
“I was proud of the way the seniors rallied the team together and bounced back from the Clarksdale game,” Pickle said. “It was a close game at halftime (7-6) and all of the way up until the fourth quarter. We just didn’t make the plays when we needed to. Hopefully, we can put two in a row together.”
Pickle said the coaches talked to some of th seniors what it takes to be successful. He said they have encouraged the players not to worry about the opponent and to focus on themselves. He said that showed a little last week in how well the team executed. He hopes the players’ ability to take the conversations to heart and to put them into action at practice has helped the team find leaders who can set the tone.
Pickle said he saw individuals accept that responsibility, which helped the team get off to a fast start against Center Hill.
Tonight, a home crowd will bring more distractions, but Pickle would rather be at home than on a bus for two to three hours. He hopes the Trojans’ mental preparation from last week carries over to this week.
“You can’t have doubt when you walk onto the field,” Pickle said. “You walk out there against anybody you have to feel like you can win.”
Lake Cormorant comes in with region victories against Saltillo and Lewisburg to its credit. Pickle said tonights matchups should continue to sort out a logjam he sees with five teams competing for four playoff spots. He hopes New Hope is one of those teams, especially if it can take care of business tonight.
New Hope has games remaining against West Point and Oxford, which makes tonight’s game even more important.
“One through five is still wide open,” Pickle said. “I think what the last two weeks figured out is who is going to be the ones who are going to contend for the top four. Just like I told our kids, if you win this one, you put yourself in position to play for a spot in the playoffs. It is not if you’re going to make it or not, it is where you’re going to be seeded.
“Our next two games (at Oxford next week) are going to tell a lot about where our season is going to go.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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