The need to rebound into the win column is now the immediate goal for the Gentry High Rams football team.
After absorbing a turnover-laden 44-14 loss to visiting North Panola High of Sardis last Friday night, the now 2-2 Rams will travel to Belzoni this Friday for a 7 p.m. non-regional clash with the 0-4 Humphreys County Cowboys.
“Playing a rival team, all records go out the window”, said Gentry Head Coach Tavares Johnson. “We have to look at our next two games as must-win situations to gain momentum going into regional play.” In last Friday’s loss to the now 4-0 Cougars of North Panola-ranked No. 1 among 3A schools-the Rams saw a narrow 20-14 deficit after three periods of play disappear as a pair of fourth period turnovers and a punt return for a touchdown proved costly.
“It was an ugly game”, said Johnson. “We turned the ball over six or seven times and so did they. They are good but the turnovers just killed our momentum, offensively we were just not very good in this game.”
The miscues enabled the squad from Sardis to capitalize with three fourth quarter touchdowns, two of which came by way of a pass interception for a touchdown and short field set up with a fumble.
As for Humphreys County High, the Rams will face a squad which is struggling on both sides of the line of scrimmage; the 3A member Cowboys come into this week’s contest only averaging 10 points per game while allowing 26 points per outing.
Last week, Humphreys County High dropped a 30-14 decision to Leflore County High of Itta Bena, the third game this season in which the Cowboys have given up 30 points.
This Friday’s clash also offers the Rams an opportunity to avenge last season’s 14-8 loss to the Cowboys, a decision which snapped a 10 game losing streak the Belzoni school had been suffering to the Rams.
Historically since 2004, the Rams still own an 11-2 series advantage over the Cowboys.
In last week’s loss to North Panola, the Rams found themselves down by a 14-6 margin at halftime following quarterback Joshujuan Townsend’s one-yard second period touchdown plunge.
Although the Cougars scored again in third period, so did the Rams as Townsend found Karjarvus Williams open across the middle and the senior wide receiver then sprinted 35 yards for the score.
Senior Reginald Bolden then crashed over for the two point conversion and the Rams went into the fateful final quarter of play only down by a 20-14 margin.
Defensively, the Rams were led by LaDaron Longmire’s nine solo and two sack night of play.
Meanwhile, defensive back Curtis Roby registered eight tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss.
