It is homecoming on The Rannge on Friday night as Providence Academy comes to West Greene. While that may mean the stands are packed the crowd is even more excited, it can also bring some distractions that every coach worries about.
West Greene coach Evan Monroe is no different and the focus this week is making sure that his team is focused heading into Friday’s game as the Buffaloes look for their first win.
“Its our homecoming week this week and there are a lot of distractions going on in our building right now. So, the question this week is, can we come out here and focus in practice even when the school day isn’t normal,” Monroe said. “Can we have a great week of practice to give ourselves a chance. We have to work our tails off this week, and if we do that we give ourselves a chance Friday night.”
West Greene comes in the game with a 0-3 record, but they found some hope in last week’s battle with Chuckey-Doak. The Buffaloes’ potential game-winning drive came up short in the 14-7 loss, but Monroe saw a winning level of effort out his guys. The Buffs will look to build on those positives this week against the Knights.
“We looked like a completely different team against Chuckey-Doak than we did against North Greene, and it was mostly due to attitude and effort,” Monroe said. “Those are things we can control. Our guys played with a lot of heart, and that give us something to build off.”
West Greene will hope to find the endzone with more frequency on Friday night, and they be helped by a Providence defense that has allowed 81 points in the last two weeks. Against the Chuckey-Doak Trystan Banks was able to get across the goal line and Shawn Bailey has proven to be a reliable runner for the Buffaloes.
Providence is in its first season of varsity football and started the year with its first ever win, 64-0 over Asheville Christian. Since then, the Division II school from Johnson City has lost to Franklin Christian 42-31, and Eagleton 39-14.
Monroe is getting his team ready for everything this week as Knights use a variety of offenses and defenses. Through three weeks the Knights have run everything from the veer to the air raid. That will be a challenge for the Buffaloes defense, but the first thing Monroe wants his team to focus on is the deep ball.
Providence quarterback Hunt Simpson is only completing 43 percent of his passes on the season, but he is averaging more than 20 yards per completion.
“They love to throw the deep ball, and their kid can throw it and it’s a pretty ball,” Monroe said. “We have told our corners that it doesn’t matter the formation or the situation, we have to be ready for the deep ball. This is one of the better quarterbacks we will see this year.”
Since it is Providence’s first season of football it will also be the first ever meeting between the two schools. The Knights compete in Division II-1A. West Greene has never beaten a Division II school.
Kickoff for Friday is set for 7 p.m.
