While Columbia (2-3) was on a bye last Friday night, the Wildcats got a chance to learn more about their first district opponent — Wesson (4-2).
Although Wesson has a favorable record, its wins have come against lesser competition and its losses have come against perennially strong teams in Sumrall and one not so much in Mize.
Wesson’s loss against Mize came Friday night, a 32-21 contest that was a three-point game late in the fourth quarter. The Cobras passing game was nonexistent, as it has been all season, as it completed just two passes for 20 yards. Their running game, however, was strong once again, churning out 234 yards and two touchdowns on 43 attempts.
That has been the formula for Wesson all season long as the Cobras have averaged more than 300 rushing yards per game compared to just 39.5 through the air. But that doesn’t mean Wesson quarterback Dell Thigpen isn’t a huge part of the offense. Thigpen is Wesson’s leading rusher with 823 yards and eight touchdowns.
“We’re just trying to watch film and pick up on some tendencies and what they like to do. They have a really good quarterback,” Columbia head coach James Harvey said. “The focal point of their running attack is him. They spread you out and create running lanes for him, so it will be a task. But we’re working hard and preparing.”
During the bye, Columbia focused on some particular areas to improve and gave the team a light load with a full district schedule on the horizon.
“We’ve been a little light on physical work. We’ve worked some on our passing game, doing a lot of 7-on-7 for a few days,” Harvey said. “Then we gave them the last couple of days of the week off (last week). We’ve just been trying to work on some specific stuff as we get ready for district.”
After rolling with Rafael Luter at quarterback the first four weeks of the season, the Wildcats made a switch to sophomore Javon Moses in their 38-21 loss to Taylorsville. Moses had a decent start as the signal caller, going 12-of-23 for 100 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Harvey believes the youngster will continue to improve with more experience.
“Javon has done well. He had a decent knowledge of the system beforehand and he’s been working hard on getting familiar with the overall offense and handling it,” Harvey said. “Each week with continued work and snaps, he’ll continue to get better and that’s what we anticipate and hope for.”
The Wildcats will host Wesson Friday night at 7 p.m.
Pictured Above: Darreious Bullock runs against Taylorsville. | Photo by Mark Rogers
