Gamecocks look to bounce back against WS Neal

The New Brockton Gamecocks (2-1) will look to get back into the “win” column this week as they host Class 4A’s WS Neal Eagles (1-2) on Friday, Sept. 25.

The Gamecocks are coming off one of the school’s most lopsided losses in recent years to Wicksburg, while the Eagles are coming off a game against Williamson played this Monday, Sept. 21.

The impact of Hurricane Sally forced WS Neal and Williamson to move the game and while the Gamecocks still played last Friday they also felt impact as they missed three days of practice due to weather.

New Brockton coach Zack Holmes said that Neal playing on Monday would give the Gamecocks a chance to concentrate on themselves – rather than watching WS Neal’s film from that game just yet – after a tough week.

“Today can be all about us and fixing us and making sure we’re putting our best foot forward,” Holmes said on Monday. “It’s not about focusing on the opponent yet but focusing on us being the best version of us that we can be. That’s the main focus.”

Holmes said that he believed the lack of practices led to a lack of intensity on game night, an issue he felt like his team had earlier in the season against Opp, as well.

“We have to be more consistent in bringing intensity and practicing with intensity, which will lead to playing with intensity,” Holmes emphasized. “I thought that showed up against Daleville and we played with fire and passion and we didn’t do that this past Friday.

“Maybe that was because we missed those days of practice but there is a certain level of intensity you have to have and play with and we have to continue to develop that.”

WS Neal won its first game of the season before dropping back-to-back games to Class 4A Top 10-ranked teams in Vigor and Mobile Christian. The Eagles’ opponent on Sept. 21, Williamson, was also a Top 10 opponent. WS Neal fell in that game 14-3.