Southmont will look Friday for its second win on the season over North Putnam (1-8) and snap a four-game losing streak.
In their first game of the season, the Mounties picked up a 21-14 win over the Cougars. Playing a familiar opponent in the Class 2A section 37 opener has helped Desson Hannum’s team this week in practice. However, he did note that the matchup did occur a long time ago.
“There is some familiarity with how they run some of their schemes and what we can expect from that standpoint,” Hannum said. “It’s tough to play a team twice in one season and win both matchups. There will be some adjustments on both sides from that first meeting. I think we just have to come out with energy and be ready for anything.”
One of the biggest challenges to the Mounties season has come at the quarterback position. Freshman Nolan Boyer has taken the reigns of the offense after starting quarterback Nick Scott suffered a season-ending injury. Now that he has a few starts under his belt, Hannum has given Boyer praise.
“He’s (Boyer) really started to come into his own out there and is more confident than he was early on,” Hannum said. “Obviously, he’s gotten more reps than he did earlier in the season. All those things have helped him get better. The biggest thing for him is just staying confident out, getting the ball to our playmakers, and not trying to do too much.”
Despite being on a four-game losing streak to end the regular season, in the post-season records and stats get thrown out the window. Each team faces a win-or-go-home scenario and that’s what Hannum is preaching to his team as they gear up for the post-season.
“Eventually there is going to be a finality to every team’s season,” he said. “You just don’t know when that will be. You want to do everything you can during the week at practice to be able continue your season one more week and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Game time is at 7 p.m. at North Putnam High School, Roachdale.
