editorial4@thomastontimes.com

It has been a disappointing season full of close losses and injuries for first year head coach Tommy Watson, but the players he has returning next year can go into the off-season with a victory.

“This game is important for us,” says Watson. “We want to be able to send our seniors off with a victory. A victory tonight would also leave us with a positive to build on for next year.”

The Knights will host the Jones County Greyhounds tonight at Matthews Field. The Knights enter the game with a 2-7 record after letting Harris County slip away with a victory in Hamilton last Friday.

The Hounds are 3-6, but only one of those three wins have come in region play. The Hounds defeated the winless Lee County Trojans last Friday night by a score of 34-6.

According to Watson, he expects the Hounds to come in ready to play, both offensively and defensively.

“It will be the last high school game that their seniors will play in too,” stated Watson. “I expect them to be fired up and ready to play.”

Watson is expecting the Hounds defense to line up with an eight man front, trying to stop the Knights running game. According to Watson, the Hounds do not have one great player on defense, but they all play well as a unit.

“We have seen many great defenders this year in our new region,” says Watson. “ Jones County does not have anyone that stands out at us, but they all play well together. They pursue the ball very well, and they are pretty quick on that side of the ball,” said Watson.

On offense, Jones returns a 6’6 quarterback who has started for the past three years. They also have a speedy running back/wide-out, who is the Knights biggest concern.

“We have to contain #9,” says Watson. “They line him up in the backfield and spread him out at the receiver position as well. Jones tries to get him the ball as much as possible. We cannot let him get loose in the open field. If we can contain him, we can have a good night defensively,” said Watson.

The Knights will be without the services of junior running back Montae Skelton. Skelton is out with an injury after starting the last two games in the backfield for the Knights. The Knights will use seniors Dare Coker and Phillip Searcy in the backfield. Junior Trustan Braizer should also see some time at the running back position.

Last week against Harris County junior Antonio Copeland played some at the quarterback position, and he may see some more action there this week also. Junior Derek Baughcum will be the Knights’ starting quarterback.

Defensively, the Knights have improved over the last few games. Coach Watson says the defense has made big strides since the beginning of the season.

“We have greatly improved on defense since the beginning of the year, stated Watson. “I am really pleased with the way we have played on that side of the ball over the last few games.”

Tonight will be the last time the senior Knights will put on the black tops and black pants. According to Coach Watson, the kids have persevered through a tough season this year.

“The guys never quit,” says Watson. We have had a tough year, but these kids have came to work everyday at practice. That says a lot about their character, and the type of people they are. This isn’t the most talented senior class we have had at this school, but they are certainly one of the best groups of kids we have ever graduated.

“These players never threw in the towel, and they got better as the season went along. I would love to get a win for this for these seniors friday night to send them off on a positive note.”

As far as the coaching staff and the returning players for next season are concerned, a victory tonight will do wonders for the club’s confidence heading into the off-season.

“I have never coached in a game where I knew it was the last game of the season,” says Watson. “Win or lose, this will be our last game this year. A win tonight will make the off-season a little easier for all of us. I am excited about the group of players coming back. I love this team, and I love this community. We will be back next year ready to get after it again.”

The seniors will strap on the helmets one last time tonight, as the Jones County Greyhounds roll into town. Kick-off is set for 7: 30 p.m., with the “Knight Walk” starting at 6 p.m.