The Nashville News - Sports
Scrappers prepare to exterminate Hornets in Homecoming showdownDewayne Holloway
Sports Editor
NASHVILLE—The Nashville Scrapper fans will gather early Friday night to admire Brittany Pearson and the 2008 Homecoming court, but all eyes will be focused on the field for the kickoff as the Scrappers host the Oak Grove Hornets.
Coach Billy Dawson will lead the Scrappers into battle against a new looking Oak Grove team as they face off on the ‘Hill’ October 10.
Last year, the Scrappers traveled to Oak Grove and dominated the Hornets on their own turf, winning easily 61-28. The Hornets finished the season last year 4-6, just missing the playoffs with a fifth place conference finish.
This year, the Hornets are led by a new coach, Mike Buchan, and a new winning philosophy.
Oak Grove comes to Nashville with a 4-1 record, with their only loss at the hands of DeQueen last week.
“They’ve got a lot of really fast kids in the skill positions,” Dawson stated.
Dawson went on to say that the Scrappers will have to tackle well if they are going to stop the Hornets.
The Hornets average 28 points a game, with a season high 46 points against the Mena Bearcats.
Corderrell Harris leads the Hornets offense from the wing-T set. Harris is a three-year starter who has 4.6 speed and can run out of the option.
The star of the Hornet offense is fullback Brandon Hudson. Hudson has 4.5 speed and rushed for 271 yards and two touchdowns last year against Nashville.
The Scrapper defensive linemen will have to stifle the running threat posed by Hudson, who has bulked up since last year.
J.P. Green and Nick Murray line up in the slotback and wingback positions in the wing-T.
The success of the Oak Grove line rests firmly in the hands of their big tackles, Devin Doles (6-2, 260) and Breeland Houston (5-10, 230).
Dawson said that they depend on their big tackles to hold up front, while their smaller guards pull to help with the run.
Jonathon Roquet will be called upon to plug up the middle along with Derrick “Go Go” Graham and Dylan Webb, while Rob Coulter and Colton High will continue to shore up the outside run for the Scrappers.
Pierre Vaughn is quickly establishing himself as one of the best high school quarterbacks in the state, with 895 yards passing for 11 touchdowns.
Vaughn has proven that he can take to the air if necessary, and has a plethora of receivers to turn to with Montrell Wright, Daniel Aylett, Anthony Smellser and Paul Morrow all stepping up at different times.
Graham is two weeks removed from his record setting week of nine touchdowns, but he will be hard pressed to match that total against a stingy Hornet defense, which has recorded two shutouts while allowing only 11 points per game this season.
The Hornet defense is led by nose guard Waylon Biggs and linebacker Barry King.
Oak Grove has proven that they can stop a quality running back this season, holding Michael Dyer of Little Rock Christian to 77 yards in the Hornets 21-7 victory over the Warriors of Little Rock Christian.
“We are going to have to be patient and take what they give us this week,” Dawson said.
The Scrappers may have to inch their way down the field as they test the strengths of the Oak Grove defense.
Tyler Kell, Tyler Lingo and the rest of the offensive line will be called upon to protect Vaughn, Graham and the rest of the Scrappers in the backfield as they move the ball down the field.
Nashville hosts Oak Grove Friday night with a Homecoming parade scheduled for 4 p.m. on Main Street. Homecoming festivities will begin at 7:05 p.m. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.