Lake County hosts Obion County Central in “The Battle For Reelfoot”

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

The preseason came to a close on Friday night and the battles of the regular season are beginning this week.

The battle many in two counties will be paying the closest attention will be up in Tiptonville on Friday night as Lake County hosts Obion County Central in “The Battle For Reelfoot”.

Lake County won last year’s game in Troy, 30-22.

Both teams took part in last week’s STAR Physical Therapy-West Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic High School Football Jamboree in Dyersburg with Central falling to Brighton 21-13 and Lake County falling to Dyersburg 21-0.

Lake County Head Coach Hunter Short pointed to the most important thing coming out of last week’s preseason finale.

“We did some good things on Friday but the biggest thing for us was coming out healthy,” Short said.

Likewise, Obion County Central Head Coach Clayton Morris shared his thoughts on his team’s performance last Friday night on the turf.

“The jamboree allowed us to get a taste of a game setting vs a larger school,” Morris explained. “I think it also did wonders for our confidence. Show our team our potential if we come out and execute from the start.”

Moving to this Friday night and the annual meeting with the Rebels, Short shared his concerns about the Central offense, including senior running back Tucker Moore and sophomore quarterback Tucker Phelon.

“Offensively, their running back is a very good player who runs hard,” Short said. “Their QB is a guy who can run the deceptively well and can spin it through the air.”

In his interview, Morris also said Phelon will be a key on Friday night but pointed to the importance of the guys in front of him as well.

“We need a big game from our offensive line and young quarterback,” Morris explained.
“They are the ones who our success will hinge on.”

Morris pointed out where the Lake County defense gives him concern.

“Lake County’s linebackers are extremely physical and flow very well,” the Central head coach said. “They do a great job at controlling the line of scrimmage.”

In terms of who the Falcon defense needs a big game from on Friday night, Short didn’t narrow it down to just one part of the team.

“Everyone,” the Lake County head coach said. “We need every person on the field doing their job play in play out.”

The line play is clearly important in this game and that holds true when asking Short who he needs a big game from when the Falcons have the ball.

“We are pretty young up front and have some pieces that aren’t quite solidified yet,” Short explained. “So those guys need to have a good night.”

Opposing them, Morris and the Rebels need a big game from the back of the Central defense.

“On defense, we need a big game from our safeties group,” Morris said. “We are asking them to do a lot, but if done right, it will put us in the best situation to be successful.”

The kicking game will need to be respected as both coaches praised their foe’s kicker.

As kickoff time grows closer, the excitement is building for both teams, especially since it’s the season opening contest.

“I’m really excited to get the season started,” Morris said. “All these months of work is for this.

“This game is going to be a back-alley fight, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

“It’s the 40th Battle of Reelfoot with the record favoring LC 22-16-1,” Short explained. “I look forward to a great atmosphere Friday night in Tiptonville.”

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Tiptonville.

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