Peach County, Southwest seek consistency
The first two games of the season have Peach County head coach Chad Campbell perplexed.
In an opening loss, the Trojans put 34 points up on the scoreboard but managed just 13 points in a win last week. When the Trojans host Southwest on Friday, Campbell wants to see things finally come together.
“I’m just looking for us to play a whole ballgame and be consistent, just put an entire game together and see what we have,” Campbell said. “Whether it has been missing assignments with one guy or two guys, it has been the entire process as a whole that needs to be more consistent. We just have to play much better and start putting it all together.”
Southwest rolls into Fort Valley with a 1-1 record and the same mindset of looking for more consistency. After a huge win over rival Northeast a couple of weeks ago, the Patriots had a bit of letdown and were hammered by Eagle’s Landing last week. The Patriots gave up 226 rushing yards and were shut out in the first half.
“We just want our focus level to get back where it needs to be,” Southwest head coach Joseph Dupree said. “We’re a young team, and we have to learn how to compete at a high level on a consistent basis, and that is what we have preached to them this past week. Just pay attention to the details as a young team, and we will be fine.”
Southwest will rely on the arm of freshman quarterback Jordan Slocum, and he will have to contend with a very stingy Peach County defense.
In last week’s win over Perry, Peach County’s Fletcher Hooks and Shamarcus Redding both recorded interceptions, while the defense held Perry scoreless in the second half.
“I like Jordan’s confidence and where he is at right now,” Dupree said. “Peach County will be ready to go and get after you the entire game. But Jordan is coming along fine. No moment is too big for him, and he knows what is going on offensively. As a coaching staff, we have to make sure and take care of him and protect him with him being so young, but he stays even-keeled and that helps our team so much.”
Dupree also is focused on the start of GHSA Region 2-AAA play, meaning the start of the goal to reach the playoffs, which the Patriots set as the benchmark in the preseason.
“Peach County is going to be ready to play, and they really bring it to you,” Dupree said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs, and region play starts that journey. Fort Valley is always a tough place to play in, but we’re excited for the opportunity.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 10:53 PM with the headline "Peach County, Southwest seek consistency ."