The Columbia Wildcats had Friday night off and the opportunity to get healthy as Region 8-3A action kicks off this week. The Wildcats (5-0) head to Tylertown Friday to take on the Chiefs (3-3).
In Week 5 at home against Lawrence County, Columbia played its worst game of the year with four turnovers nearly costing the Wildcats their unblemished record in a 20-13 comeback victory. Head coach Chip Bilderback said after that game that the Wildcats needed to win the bye week and get back to playing Wildcats football. He said Monday he believes they accomplished just that.
“Our kids came to work last week, and we were able to really just concentrate and fix us. I think from week to week you get caught up in preparing and preparing and preparing for your opponent that some things get pushed to the side that don’t need to,” he said. “It was a great opportunity for us to get back just to blocking and tackling and fixing the Columbia Wildcats.”
The Chiefs have lost back-to-back games, but Bilderback said the Wildcats need to be aware of the Chiefs’ speed regardless of where they are on the field because Tylertown can score from anywhere and turn any game into a shootout. The Chiefs are balanced offensively with four rushers over 100 yards this year and six receivers with at least 75.
Bilderback said he believes there’s a direct link between track team’s and football team’s success, and the Chiefs have won five straight track state championships.
“Speed is what they’re known for,” he said. “There is a correlation between track and football. It’s going to be a tough challenge. You have to really fight to stay in front of them.”
Bilderback added it’s going to be an evenly matched contest with how fast and physical Tylertown’s defense is.
“It’s going to be a typical (Region) 8-3A battle. It’s going to be what I expect it’s going to be every week, a toe-to-toe, four-quarter war,” he said. “We’ll find out Friday night if we won the bye week or not.”
A welcomed sight in Columbia’s secondary is fast approaching with Louisiana Tech commit and senior free safety Jamison Kelly returning to practice this week. Bilderback said he’s not sure if Kelly will be quite ready to play against Tylertown and that it will be up to the trainers, but the rangy playmaker will be back in the fold soon. Kelly, who had 88 tackles, nine pass breakups, eight tackles for loss and six interceptions in 2018, has been sidelined all season with a hip injury suffered during the offseason.
