SPRINGHILL – John Ware and the North Webster Knights will be overjoyed to make the short walk from their field house onto the field at Baucum-Ferrar Stadium.
The Knights have been road underdogs in their previous two contests against Minden and Ouachita, but this week offers a chance to get back on track against North Caddo.
“Being at home is important right now,” Ware said. “This is a must win situation, so every little advantage we can get, we’ll take it.”
The Rebels (2-2) are coming off a disappointing loss to Booker T. Washington, but have offensive firepower at the skill spots and like to bring the heat on defense. Taking North Caddo lightly is hasn’t crossed Ware’s mind this week, especially with his own team sitting at 1-3.
“They’re really a pretty good ball club,” Ware said. “They have a lot of good skill people over there; athletic all across the board. It’ll be a tough matchup.”
The Rebels prefer to keep the game on the ground while on offense, but do so out of more exotic formations than the Knights.
“They run the ball well and will try to control the clock,” Ware said. “They can throw it when they have to because the quarterback is really good. He can run around, but he can throw the football, too.”
Turnovers plagued the Rebels in their loss to BTW, something the North Webster defense will try to replicate.
“It’s big,” Ware said of the turnover battle. “We need those plays and some stops from our defense this week. Even just forcing them to punt; we see good things happen when we do that.”
North Caddo’s defense relies on pressure from the linebacker position.
“They like to blitz,” Ware said. “They have guys who can make plays and don’t mind coming up to hit you in the secondary. I think they have sevens seniors on defense.”
The Knights and Rebels will kick off at 7 p.m.