WS Chronicle

BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY 

THE CHRONICLE

When Parkland matched up with West Forsyth earlier this season, they came into the week thinking they were going to be playing Carver High. Late in the week, they received the news that they would be taking on West Forsyth.  For that matchup they were missing a few players due to lack of practice time, along with star running back Zyheir Dillard, who was out with an ankle injury.

That was the lone defeat for Parkland thus far this season and they were shut out by the Titans 27-0. The mustangs are looking to avenge the loss and head coach Brendan Atwater thinks this result will be different than the first.

“This time our guys will be prepared. They saw the 60 or 70 kids that they (West Forsyth) brought out and we were thinking in our head we were gonna get the small team in Carver, but instead we got them,” Atwater said.”

Atwater said he is pleased by the way his team has gelled thus far this season.  He says that was not the case when he came a few years back.  He said he is most impressed with the progress his team has made off the field in the classroom.

Going into today’s game, West Forsyth head coach Jared Eure said he wants his team to improve on their ball control.  He said if they are able to control the ball, that will increase their chances of winning.  Eure said he also wants the team to watch out for turnovers and make improvements along the offensive and defensive lines.

Atwater says his team’s best attribute is they like to have fun above all else and their team speed is a big from asset as well.

He says they are looking forward to today’s game and feels if his team gets past West Forsyth they can finish 9-1 overall.

“We are going to hit them on the ground first. I feel like with Zyheir Dillard back, that gives us more speed. We are going to hit the ground running and we know they have great coverage and a great secondary.  If we can hit them in the mouth running, I think we can give them a game,” Atwater continued.

West Forsyth has a dynamic running back of its own. Kendall Williams is coming off a three-touchdown per-formance against High Point Central last week.  This game may come down to whichever defense can stop the opposing offense’s fantastic runners.

Both Williams and Dillard are freshman and have a bright future ahead of them.  Both runners have size and speed and the ability to make defenders miss in the open field.  This matchup should be an exciting one.