Varnado and Pine face each other tonight, as the Washington Parish Schools face each other in week two of the LHSAA season at Varnado.
“This week, we’re looking at improving as the season goes along,” Varnado coach Scott Shaffett said. “It’s another ballgame and another Friday. It’s not what you do at the beginning of the season, it’s what you do at the end. For us, it’s about improving each week.”
Varnado lost last Friday’s season opener to Class 3A Albany, 25-16. Varnado led 16-7 after three quarters, but was outscored 18-0 in the fourth quarter.
Shaffett said depth hurts the smaller schools more than the bigger schools.
“We knew coming into the season that would be a problem early in the season,” Shaffett said. “We’ve got to improve and get better each week. That way at the end of the season, you’re peaking at the right time. Right now, it’s just tough when you’ve got the same guys playing on special teams, offense and defense and you really can’t sub them out.”
One of the things Shaffett wants to see is his offense sustain longer drives to help keep the defense fresh, and he wants the defense get off the field sooner.
Varnado scored two touchdowns last week. James Williams completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jaccourious Bickham. Desmond Harry added the two-point conversion run. Jadarrell Magee also scored on a run from 14 yards out and then converted the two points.
Pine and Varnado have split the last eight meetings, dating back to 2009. Pine won last year’s contest, 14-13.
The Raiders come into tonight’s game with a 1-0 record, after defeating Central Catholic, 27-8, last Friday.
“It’s another big game,” Pine coach Bradley Seal said. “Always an important game to go out and play against your rival.”
Joey Seal and Jordan Anderson had a great connection last week. Seal completed three touchdown passes to Anderson on throws of 60, 45 and 50 yards. Seal threw for 155 yards and ran for 41 yards on five attempts. Anderson finished with four catches for 160 yards.
Jakyran Handy ran for 51 yards on 10 carries that included a touchdown and Delvric Dillon ran for 32 yards on four carries.
Defensively, the Raiders forced five turnovers. Rayshaun Bell, Markel Cotton and Dillon picked off passes. Brendon Kelley and Logan Temples both had a fumble recovery.
One of the defenders coach Seal said is playing well is sophomore linebacker Drake Westmoreland.
“He’s a sophomore that’s really stepped up this year,” Seal said. “He’s a smart defensive player that always seems to be around the football.”