Spartans Facing Single-Wing Team Claiborne

Spartans Facing Single-Wing Team Claiborne
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Bastrop Daily Enterprise

Spartans looking to get back on track

Published: Friday, September 28, 2007 11:15 AM CDT
By MARQ MITCHAM
Sports Editor


Opening up a three-week, non-conference stretch, Prairie View travels to Claiborne Friday night. Kickoff time is 7 p.m. in Haynesville.

SLOW START: Inheriting a program in a rebuilding mode, first-year head coach Tommy Reeder has directed the Rebels to a 1-4 getaway.

Porter's Chapel - the Rebels and Spartans only common foe - downed Claiborne 13-6 in the season opener. Prairie View, meanwhile, spanked Porter's Chapel 34-7 in Week 3.

Claiborne bounced back the following week to edge Tallulah 27-21, before dropping consecutive games at the hands of Riverdale (26-6), Wilkinson County Christian (14-6) and Glenbrook (36-0).

SINGLE WING: It should come as no surprise that Reeder, who guided Ruston to a Class 5A state runner-up finish in 1998, installed the Single Wing upon his arrival at Claiborne. But the Rebels showed some different looks last week against Wilkinson Co.

"They run a lot of misdirection," said Prairie View coach Mike Hinton. "They showed a good bit of trips and quads against Glenbrook last week, but they weren't real successful. I figure they'll do it again this week since Trinity was successful running the spread against us."

Kyle Holloway returned a punt 85 yards to paydirt vs. Riverdale. Other key players for the Rebels include Jeff Teel and Chris Brazzel.



TIME TO REGROUP: Coming off of a 14-6 victory over Riverfield in the MPSA District 3-2A opener, the Spartans were held to 59 total yards in a 33-0 loss to Trinity Episcopal.

"Trinity had more team speed than we could handle," Hinton said. "They had speed everywhere. I don't know if it was from coming off the big win over Riverfield or what, but we were a little flat last week.

"I heard several of our players make the comment that Trinity was just good, so I feel like they will put it behind them."

Friday night offers the Spartans an opportunity to regroup.

"We're looking forward to this week," Hinton said. "This will be a good test to see if we can get back on track. We've always had some battles with Claiborne the last few years."

This marks the second straight season for the Spartans to visit the Rebels. Claiborne won last year's season opener, 20-13.

LINE SHUFFLE: Prairie View (3-2) has juggled its offensive line this week.

David Picard, a backup center at Sterlington last season, has moved from guard to center. Seth Allen moves inside from tackle to guard, with Colby Gilbert going from center to tackle. Zach Tubbs and Logan Hollis remain at guard and tackle, respectively.

"I feel confident that David can make the move because he's so quick," Hinton said. "By moving him now, we won't have to break in a center in the spring.

"Seth works hard. He'll be able to adjust."

Allen and Hollis were both held out of Monday's practice, but returned for Tuesday's workout in the gym.

By implementing the changes now, the reshuffled line will have three games under its belt by the time the Spartans return to district play for an Oct. 19 meeting at Adams County Christian.

"We have three weeks before we get back into district play," Hinton said. "We want to have everything in place by then."

LOOKING AHEAD: Although he did not come out and say it, Hinton probably has his eye on the Oct. 26 home date with River Oaks.

Standing 1-1 in district play, a victory over ACCS would put the Spartans in position to clinch second place outright with a win over River Oaks. Either way, the Spartans are in position to earn their first playoff berth since 1999.

"Even though we lost to Trinity, we're still in good shape to make the playoffs," Hinton said. "Our goal coming into the season was to make the playoffs and we're still in good shape to do that."


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