Daleville ready for Homecoming

The Daleville High School football team will play its Homecoming game against Dale County on Friday night, Oct. 12.

“I know the players realize a lot of the players will be coming back that played in their shoes,” Daleville coach Brad McCoy said. “We try to remind them that Homecoming is for the fans, but we still have to prepare, practice and get ready for the game, though.”

Daleville is 6-0 this season while Dale County is 4-2, but McCoy said the Warhawks cannot get complacent with the wins.

“Every week it’s going to be harder and harder to stay undefeated,” he said. “Every team is going to shooting for you. Every team is going to lay it on the line to be that team to knock you off. That bull’s eye just got a lot bigger by going 6-0. We have to find a way to match the opponent’s intensity and desire, and find a way to overcome it.”

The Dale County Warriors are coming off of a win against Barbour County, and McCoy said he contributes a lot of their success to their sophomore running back Jamarious Henderson.

“They have a really talented running back,” he said.  “He runs the ball hard and he’s got great speed.”

The Warriors also are operating under a new coach this year, Pate Harrison. McCoy said Harrison is changing the team dynamics.

“He’s come in with enthusiasm and (is) trying to do it the right way,” he said. “I think those kids see that he cares about them and wants to put a winning product on the field. They’re buying into it.”

The Warriors’ defense was one of the areas of the Dale County team that impressed McCoy.

“They run to the football well,” he said. “They hit and tackle very well. They’re very fast off the defensive line. That’s one of the first things I noticed. They get off of that football in a hurry.”

The Warhawks are working hard in practice this week. Daleville is focusing on mistakes made during the games so far, its passing game and getting better at the fundamentals.

“We’re just improving,” McCoy said. “Overall, we’re working on execution and trying to improve on what we’re currently doing. That’s the biggest key for us.”

The pre-game Homecoming ceremony will start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday in Warhawk Stadium.

The Warhawks will host the Warriors Friday night. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. 

“You just see a bunch of kids playing hard on (Dale County’s) team,” McCoy said. “That’s really helping them win ball games. It’s going to be a physical game on both sides.”