Bulldogs win streak on the line at Itawamba

New Albany has become accustomed to winning, but another challenge faces the Bulldogs this week, as they will try to keep their regular season winning streak going at Itawamba.

Elizabeth Zaremba

Boston Newsome ran for 140 yards and a touchdown against Ripley last week. The Bulldogs hope to continue their success on the ground, traveling to Itawamba on Friday.

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After taking down Ripley last week, the focus has shifted to the ‘Dawgs former division opponent, and the question now is how will the team respond after a big win.
“We needed that win to get this team heading in the right direction,” NAHS coach Ron Price said. “Everyone that’s a part of this team is accustomed to winning, we think, and our kids went out last week and expected to win. We’ve got to remain focused now.”
The Bulldogs relied heavily on the running game last week, with Boston Newsome and Josh Creekmore combining for 267 yards and three touchdowns. New Albany will keep with that offensive method, hoping eventually to open up the passing game.
“We’ve told our kids that in order to be a successful football team,  we have to be able to run the football, and by doing that, we’re taking a lot of pressure off of Spencer (Day) and Marcus (Reed), if he’s in there,” Price said. “Each week, as teams watch film on us, they’re going to try to take that running game from us first and force us to pass the football, so when passing opportunities come for us, we have to be prepared to be successful and the kids have to make the plays.”
Price and his staff had the chance to scout the Indians in their game at Saltillo, and he noted the size of both the offensive and defensive lines, but their lack of playing time could serve as an advantage.
“We noticed that they’re big and their defense plays a three-three stack with very big defensive players,” Price said. “I don’t think they have a lot of game time experience, but they have the potential to be a very good football team.”
New Albany will be tested early taking on not only the Indians this week, but another former division opponent in Pontotoc in next week’s home opener. Price hopes his team is able to step up to the challenge and build on the success from their season opener.
“It’s a big game, early in the season, so we’re going to find out even more this week about the character of our team, if they can immediately come out and play hard after a win,” he said. “We have a great opponent in Itawamba, so we’ll see how we come out and respond this Friday night.”
Friday's game is set for 7:30 p.m. in Fulton.