Alexander Central travels to Marion tonight for a crucial game againt McDowell. The Cougars are coming off back to back humbling defeats after starting the season 5-0 and steamrolling the opposition in the process. This week Coach Butch Carter is trying to “get the wheel back on.” Carter says that the losses to Watauga and Freedom were to “two very good football teams but we’re a good football team too.”
Both Watauga and Freedom shut down the Cougar ground attack by putting 8 and sometimes 10 men within a couple yards of the line of scrimmage. It means that the Cougars have to sustain blocks like they were doing earlier in the season because the first five opponents were crowding the box too. Carter says the difference is “we’ve not be able to get that big block and hit that home run” referring to a big run by one of the teams talented backs. “It’s up to us (referring to the coaching staff) to get this thing going back in the right direction, the players are working hard and it’s tough but we’re working though it.”
McDowell started the season with two non-conference wins over RS Central and Avery County before dropping four straight. They got back in the win column with an impressive 48-28 win over league foe South Caldwell last Friday. The Titans are probably the most balanced team the Cougars will see this year. They average 188 yards per game passing and 160 on the ground. Quarterback Adam Randolph has thrown for over 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. He spreads the passing wealth to several targets including his brother Andruw who has 26 catches for 426 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Cougars will have to play good disciplined football on defense because McDowell can run it as well. JC Olivo leads the ground attack with 619 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Titans lead the all-time series 17-14 but Alexander Central has won the last six meetings including 55-21 in Taylorsville last season. Game time is 7:30 pm. The Countdown to Cougar Kick-off begins at 6:30. The Senior Spotlight tonight is Jesse Schronce.