It was an all-around dominating week one for Southmont football as they defeated Fountain Central 55-12 to being their 2022 campaign 1-0 last week. This week the Mounties will take on a potential sectional foe in their home opener as they welcome the North Putnam Cougars to New Market. The Mounties have won the last two meetings against the Cougars and will look to make it three when the two teams meet up on Friday.
After a week one vcitory it’s still been all business for the Mounties this week as they look to improve off of last week.
“You typically see the biggest improvement in a football team from week one to week two,” Southmont coach Desson Hannum said. “That’s what we have to carry into practice and it really starts with taking with what we’ve taught in individual drills and translating that to our team and group segments. Then the hope that all translates into Friday nights.”
The Cougars were defeated by a familiar face for the Mounties as the Chargers took care of the Cougars 36-7. North Putnam is led out by a new coach this season in Scott Moore and a frehshman quarterback in Christian Kramer. Kramer completed 22-32 passes against the Chargers a week ago but did throw four interceptions. Senior tailback Noah Claycomb anchors the Cougars running attack and he tallied 50 yards on 18 carries while also catching five passes for 44 yards.
The Cougars do possess a pair of senior receivers in Myles Bryan and Kramer’s older brother Arrick Kramer. Bryan caught five passes for 97 yards while Arrick caught eight for 80 a week ago.
“Their offense is unique and definitely different than most,” Hannum said in preparing for the Cougars. “They make you prepare for a lot of different formations to make sure that your aligning correctly. That’s the biggest thing when I look at them on film. Defensively for us we have to continue to play fast like we did last week and play assignment football and simply execute.”
For the Mounties a week ago it was the defense that was the story as they held the Mustangs to 75 total yards and forced three turnovers. That aggressive style is something that Hannum wants to continue to see as his team looks to do the same thing against the Cougars.
“The energy that we start the game with is very important,” Hannum said. “Defense is a lot about the emotion and energy that you play with and if you’re a confident group on that side of the ball, you’re going to play fast. That’s exactly the style that we want to see while we’re out there is them playing sideline to sideline and not give an inch.”
With it being the home opener for the Mounties Hannum is also excited for his seniors to play in their first final home game of their careers as the Mountie faithful will hopefully be treated to another Southmont win.
“I expect a great crowd for us,” he said. “You want a great experience for your home opener and I think it will be an exciting one for our guys.”
The Cougars and Mounties will kick it off beginning at 7 p.m.
