News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The White County Warriors face undefeated Loudon on the road Friday in round two of the TSSAA High School Football Playoffs.
Following a 31-6 win over Red Bank in round one, White County head coach Curtis Beaty said his team is finding its peak form at the right time. He said the Warriors are in for a challenge against the Redskins, he noted that winning 11 straight games does not happen on accident.
“They’re going to execute on offense,” Beaty said. “They’re going to line up and not get penalized a bunch. They just play really good fundamental football at the end of the day and that makes them really, really tough because they do have talent all over the place. Their quarterback, running back, they’ve got some good offensive and defensive lineman and good skilled kids all around the board.”
Loudon is led by senior quarterback Bronson Scrivner, Beaty said he was impressed with Loudon’s ability to use their quarterback in a variety of ways. Beaty said besides their obvious skill, he is struck by their ability to fight back from adversity.
“The most important thing that caught my eye was their resiliency,” Beaty said. “Stone Memorial was up 14-0 and about to score again to go up 21-0. And Loudon is able to create turnover and watch the game slowly fight back in their favor. So, the biggest thing I’ve seen is Loudon’s ability to not be shaken.”
Loudon would outscore Stone Memorial 33-7 for the rest of the game and hold the Panthers scoreless in the final three quarters. Beaty said while the Redskins defense is a formidable unit, he has been satisfied with the progression of the White County offense.
In the midst of a six game win streak, the Warriors are averaging 30.6 points a game and have been without their Mr. Football seminfinalist and starting quarterback Tripp Pinion. Beaty said the offense has evolved in his absence and will need to be on point this Friday.
“We think it’s going to be important to be multiple and do things to put pressure on Loudon’s defense,” Beaty said. “Maybe do some stuff that they’ve haven’t seen to be able to get the production we think we’re going to need.”
