Football returns to Marion County Friday night as the Columbia Academy Cougars take the field for the first time under new head coach TC Chambliss against Amite School Center.
The Cougars, coming off a winless season, are hunting their first win since Nov. 1, 2019, but they’re not really sure what they are going to see against the Rebels. ASC has a new head coach as well, and while Chambliss and the CA coaches got to watch ASC scrimmage last week, the Rebels didn’t give much away. Couple that with Chambliss still trying to establish what he wants with the Cougars, the focus in the lead up to the game has primarily been about being the best version of the Cougars.
“I know they’ll be coached up well and be fundamentally sound, but I don’t really know what to expect as far as their schemes and stuff,” Chambliss said. “I know they’ll play hard, and I know they have some energy and excitement, too, with their fresh start over there. They’re kind of like us and are in a similar situation.”
The Rebels have struggles mightily in recent seasons, going 3-8 last season and 2-20 the previous two seasons combined. There isn’t a whole lot to glean from ASC’s stats from last season as the Rebels graduated their top three rushers, top four receivers and four of their top five tacklers.
The Cougars are chomping at the bit to play somebody not wearing orange and blue, according to Chambliss, and he believes they will be plenty prepared come Friday night.
“They’ve been working really hard for this moment. They’ve got what we do down pretty pat,” he said. “When I look objectively at what we do and what we do get right, we’re in pretty good shape. I’ll never be complacent or content — I always want to be better and do more — but from where we started to where we are now, we’re ready for this first week.”
Getting that first victory in nearly two calendar years would be huge for CA if it is able to top the Rebels. Chambliss said he can feel that the entire community is behind the Cougars, and the Cougars themselves are extremely hungry and motivated.
“(The players) believe they’re fixing to be part of a turnaround. Just to be with them in the time I have, I can’t imagine them any other way than the happy, hungry, optimistic kids,” he said.
The Cougars will be led by seniors Jacob Reid, Kris Ginn, Sam Mitchell and Noah Branch.
Kickoff for the season opener is at 7 p.m.
