North Forrest is no stranger to sluggish starts.
Last season near the end of September, the Eagles were 0-5 before finishing the regular season 4-5 as Region 8-2A champions.
Two games into a new season in 2017, the Eagles are 0-2.
“We have played some very hard, smash mouth football two weeks, back-to-back,” Fifth-year head coach Anthony Dillon said.
“Still, our guys never quit.”
Dillon’s Eagles opened the season against Lumberton, the Class 1A runner-up from a year ago and a team many expect could win it all this season. The Panthers left Eatonville with a narrow, 12-8 win. A week later, North Forrest travelled to Magee, a team that looks to be much-improved. The Eagles fought tooth and nail with the Trojans, only to fall in double-overtime, 36-30.
“Both of those games, we had an opportunity to come out victorious,” Dillon said. “Going back and breaking down the film, there was too many mental mistakes. Too many turnovers. It’s going to be hard to beat a team doing that with the amount of depth we have.”
Even so, Dillon believes his team can replicate what they did last year or possibly take another step forward. That belief stems from the fight and energy his team plays and practices with, even after tough losses. And, there’s always 2016, a precedent for righting the ship and turning things around.
“That’s what we’ve been preaching,” Dillon said. “Same as last year, we’ve lost some tough games early on. We have to find a way to win and not be content with competing and it just being close. We want to come out on top, and we really feel like we need one of those games early so guys can get that taste early.”
“I think the guys will step up.”
Another tough challenge awaits the Eagles this week with the Columbia Wildcats (2-0) coming to town.
“Columbia is playing with a lot of momentum,” Dillon concluded. “We’re looking forward to the challenge. Cut down the mental mistakes, make some more plays and take care of the football, and I think we can come out victorious.”
Kickoff of North Forrest-Columbia is scheduled for 7 pm Friday night in Eatonville.
