Now that the early-season portion of Columbia Academy’s non-district schedule is out of the way, the Cougars are looking forward to kicking off district play Friday night when Brookhaven Academy comes to town.
The Cougars (1-5) have dealt with an incredibly hard schedule to date, particularly the past three weeks, but now they’re finally going to be punching in their own weight class again with Brookhaven Academy (2-1). But that won’t make it any easier come game time because the other Cougars can play.
“They definitely have a fine-tuned offense,” CA head coach TC Chambliss said. “The quarterback (Tyler Fortenberry) is very highly-touted. They’ve got multiple weapons, but they have that one receiver (Trevor Fortenberry) that’s definitely the big playmaker for them. But you can’t fall asleep on the running back. They’ll throw it to him out of the backfield and give it to him on counters, things like that. Their quarterback can run it, too. He’s a weapon on kickoff returns and just an all-around great player.”
CA has had to make several adjustments this season on both sides of the ball between various injuries and recognizing its own strengths and weaknesses. Chambliss said he’s hoping it will all come together Friday night.
“We’ve been tinkering with stuff all season long, but it’s time to be in the lab, throw it all together, give them some new things to look at and see if we can come up with the perfect answer to try to shut these guys down,” he said.
Chambliss added he was worried the past few weeks that his players were only looking forward to starting district play and overlooking their opponents, but now he sees that their energy is renewed and unbelievably hyped up.
“They’re excited to be at practice, and they’ve just been completely rejuvenated. That’s exactly been their words. ‘It’s the second season now. We’re 0-0.’ It’s been nice seeing the guys be energetic. They don’t feel defeated and don’t look defeated. They’re my Cougars again,” he said. “Things are back the way they’re supposed to be.
“I’m proud of them to have done that without me having to force it. I continue to hold them accountable and hold them to my standards, and they just bounce back. That means that’s just who they are now. That’s what you want at the end of the day as a coach, to not have to force it and for that to be just who they are. That’s how you know you’re doing things right.”
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
