Mike Arie
Pauls Valley Daily Democrat
Pauls Valley, Oklahoma —
It's been a great opening day battle for several years. Even though the been close, the Pauls Valley Panthers have yet to break into the win column against the Newcastle Racers on this opening day.
A touchdown or less has separated these two teams over the last several years. Last year was an epic battle with Newcastle winning 20-19.
“It's a typical Newcastle team,” Pauls Valley head coach Kevin Foster said. “They are big and physical.”
The Racers have shown several different offensive formations in their scrimmages.
“They have shown anything from the spread to the I formation,” Foster said. “We have been preparing for both formations.”
Not much is known about the Newcastle players. They didn't wear numbers in their scrimmages so PV coaching staff doesn't know names they just guessed on who they were on size.
They do have some size averaging over 250 up front with their guards being the anchors in the trenches. Two different backs have carried the ball on offense depending on which formation they are in.
“We know they have rotated two different players in at tailback,” Foster said. “One was a big strong back and the other a scat type back.”
Senior defensive back Jeremy McDade leads the odd stacked Newcastle defense. McDade is a three-year starter in the Racer secondary and has nine career interceptions to his name.
“They fly all over the field to the football,” Foster said. “They have a good group of linebackers and we have to know where McDade is at all times.”
The Panthers have shot themselves in the foot on several occasions against the Racers. Last year a holding penalty on the first drive of the game cost PV six points in a game that they lost by a single point.
“We have to eliminate the mental and physical mistakes,” Foster said about keys to winning the game. “We have to take care of the football, be physical and tackle.”
The Panthers open up the season Friday night at Thompson Field. Kick off is at 7:30 p.m. Hamburgers will be cooked prior to the game for those interested in eating prior to kickoff.
