Turnovers a concern for Laurel

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The Laurel defense, here making the tackle against Wayne County, will have another tough challenge when they take on Oak Grove Friday night. Photo/James Pugh

September 2, 2010

By Randy Hammons, sports@laurelleadercall.com Laurel Leader-Call The Laurel Leader-Call Thu Sep 02, 2010, 10:24 AM CDT

LAUREL — Laurel head football coach Milton Smith realized long before the 2010 season began the first three games of the season would tell a lot about his club.

Eight turnovers in the first two games are a major reason why the Golden Tornadoes are 0-2. Laurel had four turnovers in last week’s 19-7 loss at 6A Hattiesburg in the Battle for the Little Brown Jug game.

After a season-opening 44-14 loss to Class 5A power Wayne County in the season opener, it doesn’t get any easier for the 4A Tornadoes Friday. Laurel travels to meet another 6A foe in 1-1 Oak Grove, a 26-21 loser to Petal last week.

Against Hattiesburg, Laurel lost a fumble near midfield which led to a Hattiesburg touchdown. An interception also led to a Hattiesburg touchdown. In a punting situation near its end zone, Laurel had punt blocked and the ball rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

“We just need to cut down on turnovers, cut down on penalties and play some solid football,” Smith said. “Oak Grove is big and physical. It’s going to be a challenge again. The mountain doesn’t get any lower.”

Laurel rushed for 91 yards against Hattiesburg. The Tornadoes put together an 80-yard drive in 16 plays to score with 7 seconds to go before halftime. Sophomore running back Virzil Tillman scored from 1 yard out.

Laurel quarterbacks Dontreal Pruitt and James Crosby were a combined 19 of 34 passing for 137 yards and two interceptions last week.

“We moved the football, but we’ve got to put the football in the end zone,” Smith said. “Our defense was decent. We gave up too may penalties and foolish plays in the first half.”

Laurel junior running back Harkera Hardy will also see playing time in the backfield. Receivers include juniors Justin Mack and Dequan Heidelberg, and sophomore Chris Horne.

Oak Grove, which lost 37-6 to Bassfield in the season opener, is paced offensively by quarterback Stephen Swindle and running backs Jordan Woods and Shawn Anderson. Receivers are Christian Chauvin, Wes Smith, Bryce Sandland and Dillon Fedora, the son of University of Southern Mississippi head coach Larry Fedora.

Woods scored on a 4-yard run last week against Petal, while Chauvin caught a 57-yard pass for a touchdown. Fedora returned a punt 60 yards for a score.

“From what we saw on film, (Oak Grove) has the complete package,” Smith said. “They’re solid on defense, balanced on offense and their kicking game is good.”

Laurel defensive leaders include linebackers Defond Bester, Malcolm Drummond and Michael Hollingsworth. Tackles are Zephiniah Martin, Antoine Lockhart and B.J. Stallworth. The secondary includes Markel Milsap, Anthony McGilberry, Fenest Armstrong and Tevin McInnis.

Oak Grove linebackers are Trey Barnes, Cort Brinson and Cornelius Mitchell. The secondary includes Robert Ducksworth, Allen Ward, Kelvin Keyes and Fedora.

Smith said neither the players or coaching staff has given up on the season.

“We still plan on playing 13 more games,” Smith said. “Right now, we are our own top priority. We just need to worry about getting ourselves straight.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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