FOOTBALL: Rosewood seeks signature win

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 1, 2016 1:49 PM

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Always the optimist, Rosewood head varsity football coach Robert Britt thinks his team has a chance to emerge victorious any time it steps onto the field.

And he also realizes the opportunity to notch a signature rarely occurs on a regular basis.

But the Eagles have that chance tonight when they renew their rivalry against perennial 2-A powerhouse Midway. The 38th meeting in the series is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Branch Pope Field.

"We've made vast improvements from week one to week two," Britt said. "We're still trying to find an identity. Each game we get a little closer to finding out what kind of team we're going to be.

"The kids still have a great attitude, are working hard, still believe in themselves and what we're doing. I keep telling them it won't be long before we break that first win."

Wins haven't come easy against Midway.

The Raiders hold a 26-11 advantage and have won the last four meetings.

"We're going in expecting to win the game," Britt said. "They are good. (Tonight) we need to go in with the mindset that we can win this game if we limit their explosive plays."

The Eagles allowed 20 fourth-quarter points against North Johnston last Friday. The defensive line will match up against a Midway offense that posted a 55-point effort against Princeton, and sealed its comeback with a touchdown in the final 60 seconds of play.

Britt said the offensive and defensive lines continue to make small mistakes due to their youth. At one point, Britt had either six freshmen or sophomores playing defense against North Johnston.

"We've got some talent," he said. "They're still getting used to the speed of the varsity level. Some of them are playing a new position for the first time. Again, I was real happy with some of the improvements we've made.

"If we keep making improvements week after week, we'll be fine."

As expected, returning three-year starter Cameron Helt has been the focal point of opposing defenses. The senior quarterback has rushed for 276 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries. However, he's thrown for just 50 yards on just seven completions.

Brett has played Tronqull Blue, Michael Reed, Tucker Chapin and Alex Godwin in the backfield. The quartet has combined for 122 yards on 36 totes. Chapin has completed two passes.

Godwin is top receiver with 61 yards.

"Cameron, if we allowed him to, would probably be one of the better defensive guys we could put on the field," Britt said. "We try to keep him off the field on defense so he can just concentrate on offense. We know that he's got to tote the load on offense.

"We've got to make sure that we run our offense and we don't overwork him."