FB: Timpson-West Sabine Game Notes
against West Sabine. (Photo by John Krueger)
The Timpson Bears 'grew' a lot in 2009 and second-year head coach Kenny Washington hopes his team can pay dividents in the upcoming season. How much his team has grown will be revealed when they take to the field - and that begins tonight (Friday).
The Bears and West Sabine Tigers will tangle at Tiger Stadium tonight in Pineland at 7:30 p.m. It will be a formidable test for the Bears.
West Sabine clipped Timpson 6-0 last season in the first league matchup for both teams. The two squads won't be in the same district this fall, but that doesn't mean the Bears won't be looking for some measure of revenge when the two squads meet.
West Sabine, which only outgained the Bears 203-147 in the win last year, has a lot to be excited about in 2010. Eight starters are back on both sides of the football, including quarterback Devonte Thomas, who completed 180-of-240 (75%) of his passes for 2,000 yards, 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions despite the team's 4-6 final record.
The Bears are welcoming back senior LaDerius Bryan this season. After successful 2008 season as a sophomore with 637 yards and nine touchdowns before being injured, Bryan went down with an injury to the same knee in the season opener last year against Shelbyville. After surgery he said is ready for 2010.
The contest should be a good measuring stick for Timpson, which is looking to improve on their 3-7 record of a year ago.
PineyWoodsSports.com Prediction: Injuries hurt the Bears in 2009. But what hurt the team more was the lack of unity and mental mistakes throughout the season.
When Washington arrived on the scene his first order of business was to instill some mental toughness in this squad, and judgeing from training camp they are making strides. They have some talent returning in LaDerius Bryan as a running back and Lorenzo Young is getting better with each day at quarterback. Jaylin Rhodes moved to tight end and shoot give the offense a boost.
But West Sabine has a talented team and may be catching the Bears at a good stage of the season - early. The Tigers will move the ball on the Timpson defense and score enough points to win.
West Sabine 34, Timpson 21
WEEK 0 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DISTRICT 12-1A D-II
Friday, August 27
Union Grove at Beckville, 7:30 p.m.
Cushing at Mount Enterprise, 7:30 p.m.
Tenaha at Joaquin, 7:30 p.m.
Union Hill at Carlisle, 7:30 p.m.
DISTRICT 11-1A D-I
Friday, August 27
Colmesneil vs. San Augustine (at Brook Hill), 7:30 p.m.
Kountze at Hull-Daisetta, 7:30 p.m.
Lovelady at New Waverly, 7:30 p.m.
Warren at West Hardin, 7:30 p.m.
West Sabine at Timpson, 7:30 p.m.