Hope- The Bobcats march into week 5 with a 2-2 (1-0) record, as they gear up for their first road conference game Friday night against Hot Springs 3-1 (0-1). The Trojans are coming off a 54-7 loss to Parkview, the No.1 ranked team in 5A last week, with Hope coming off a 49-7 win over DeQueen. I spoke with Coach Phillip Turner Wednesday afternoon after practice about how he feels about the game Friday night, “We feel good, guys prepared good and we told the guys are season begins now. Hot Springs is going to be ready to play Friday night, so we have to be ready to go.” Hot Springs QB Matt Conteras led the conference last season in passing, throwing for over 2500 yards and 31 TDs. Conteras has one of his favorite weapons back from last season in Octavious Rhodes who caught 14 TDs last season. The secondary of Hope has been very good this season, a very athletic secondary led by Kameron Walton, Noah Cheatham, Cameron Carrigan, and J’Kobi Scott are definitely be up for the challenge to contain the good WR group of Hot Springs. The Hope defensive front should have a speed advantage as Sidney Ross, Corey Armstrong, and Richard Cunningham could be poised to be key playmakers this Friday. SWARK.Today Player of the Week LB Juan Oritz spoke on the Bobcat defense after practice, “We’ve been working hard, filling our gaps and making sure we do things right. We’re pretty positive about what we’re going to do Friday night, we hope they bring it cause we’re definitely going to bring it.” This LB group of Ortiz, KD Gulley, Donovan Jones, and Jalen Staggers are confident and they are going to show up with the intensity they have shown all year.
I spoke with OL Miguel Nava Wednesday about the offense, “We are going to have to block well to get Tyler some time to get the ball out to our recievers. We’ve had a good week of practice and look to put some points on the board.” Tyler Patterson entering the game with 11 total TDs (9 passing, 2 rushing) and 779 yards passing, will look to keep the offense rolling as they have scored 38 points and 49 points the last two games. Isaac Love will look to continue to be a mismatch for opposing secondaries as he has 6 TDs and 317 yards in 4 games. Zyun Brown and Jay Monk are also weapons’ that Patterson can depend as both have elite level hands. Tamorrien Lindsey will continue to get the bulk of the carries as he has hit his stride lately with 205 yards and 4 TDs in his last two games, with KD Gulley playing some snaps at slot and RB. The O-line has been consistently good this season and they look to control the line of scrimmage Friday night. “They play a lot of man coverage, off the ball this more this season than normal, but their D-Line is the best part of their defense for sure” Turner said about the Trojan defense. Turner also noted, “Coach E has a great game plan ready for Friday night.”
Hot Springs came down to Hope last season and walked away with the win, so I look for the Bobcats to return the favor this Friday. Kickoff is set for 7PM in Hot Springs, hopefully you are in attendance Friday night, but if not SWARK.Today will be livestreaming the game.
