After starting last season 0-3, the Patriots take a 3-0 record into its homecoming and regional matchup against the Woodlawn Colonels.
Taking full advantage of their returning star power, the Patriots have prevailed against John Carroll, Briarwood, and region opponent Mortimer Jordan, defeating each team by an average of 26 points. It’s their first 3-0 start since 2017.
With the Colonels coming into Waldrop Stadium with an 0-3 record, there is no better time for the Patriots to gain stronger momentum before their more difficult matchups down the road.
Senior wide receiver Kylen Newell laid out the Patriot’s offensive game plan heading into Friday.
“We want to abuse their man-to-man coverage, take deep shots and overall just win the line of scrimmage,” Newell said.
Newell recognizes the upcoming Colonels as an athletic and aggressive team, but is confident that won’t be a problem for the Patriots if they come ready to play and do their jobs.
“We have to make our blocks and focus on our assignments to the best of our ability,” Newell said. “That’ll make us the better team.”
Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots will face a Colonel offense that has averaged only 15.7 points per game so far this season. They are an offense that throws the ball a lot, specifically passing deep at every chance.
Junior cornerback George French says the defensive game plan is to cover the deep ball well and win the battle upfront by pressuring their quarterback.
“We’ve been playing a bunch of deep routes in practice,” French said. “If our front can do a good job of putting pressure on their backfield, the secondary can step in and make a play.”
Despite Woodlawns winless start to the season, this game still requires equal preparation required for tougher matchups. That’s the mindset of senior quarterback Will Myers.
“This game can determine how good we are come playoff time,” Myers said. “Woodlawn might be 0-3, but they have prepared for us just like we have for them and they have some playmakers.”
Alongside French, Myers and Newell, the rest of the squad is ready and excited for a potential homecoming victory.
