WS Chronicle

Photo by Timothy Ramsey

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

Heading into tonight’s game against Reynolds, the Parkland Mustangs are looking to bounce back from last weeks demoralizing defeat against West Forsyth, where they were beaten 41-8.

Reynolds, on the other hand, is looking to stay undefeated as they squeaked by Davie County by the score of 14-12.

Parkland was looking to avenge an earlier season loss to the Titans of West Forsyth and were confident they would be able to compete and possibly win.  The addition of key linemen who were ineligible to play because of lack of practice time along with running back Zyheir Dillard coming back from injury made Parkland coach Brendan Atwater excited for a chance to face the Titans at full strength.

According to Atwater, the game plan going into last week’s game was to establish Dillard early and often.

“We came out running the ball, and they shut Zyheir Dillard down, and that’s who we were depending on to get it done. A lot of our guys already had the attitude that we could beat them, and that’s what we wanted, but it got to the point where we didn’t punch them in the mouth; they punched us in the mouth,” said Atwater.

Atwater said his team had a tough time overcoming adversity against West Forsyth, and once they were able to gain a little confidence, it was too late.  He says against Reynolds they are going to try the same thing as last week, and that’s “hit the ground running” and from there he wants to throw the ball.  He says his team has to bring “it” early in the game.

Reynolds JV head coach Rod Dunlap says his team has continued to progress throughout the season.  He said he felt his team was becoming a little cocky but his team has come together and learned how to practice and in turn how to win.

“What I’ve learned over the years is not to worry about what they do. We are going to worry about what we do, do what we do and do it well,” said Dunlap on his game plan for tonight’s game.

“We are going to ground and pound and capitalize on the pass when it’s there.  Our main thing on defense is stop the run first. If we stop the run and make them have to pass, then we can get after the quarterback.” Dunlap says his secondary has been playing exceptionally well. He says Charlie Mensh and Tobias Johnson have been “ball hawks” in the defensive backfield.  He says they want their big guys on the defensive line to set the tone against the Parkland running game and he says he likes their chances.

He says he knows Parkland has a good running game but says his running backs Shaheim Revel and Desmond Hood are very good players as well.

With the Demons currently sitting on a 5-0 record, Dunlap says it would not surprise him if his team was able to finish undefeated for the season.

“The sky is the limit for this team. Sometimes we have some areas of immaturity with it being JV but we are big up front, physical, and a nice change of pace in the backfield.  I know we are going to have some tough games, but I’m excited about it,” said Dunlap.