By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

This week, the Morgan County High School Football team is going to face their first region opponent of the season, the Oconee County Warriors.
The match-up with the Warriors will take place at Bill Corry stadium and will only be the second game of the season so far to be played at home for Morgan County.
“I am so glad we are going to be back home for the first time since August 31st,” said Coach Bill Malone about the game this week.
During the bye week last week, Malone made sure that his athletes stayed in top shape, but gave them a little room for some rest and relaxation.
“We want to maintain our conditioning while, at the same time, giving our bodies a break from so much contact.”
The bye week has also given the Bulldogs more time to prepare for their game against Oconee’s offense, which isn’t the same type that the Bulldogs have been facing so far this season.
“We’ve had two weeks to prepare for a wide-open passing attack that we’ve not faced since Jefferson,” says Malone.
“We’re looking forward to that challenge.”
The Warriors’ defense will also provide some challenges for Morgan County’s offensive line. According to Malone, Oconee is accustomed to using, “a goodly amount of stunts and blitzes that we’ll, hopefully, be able to recognize.”
Malone also spoke briefly about Morgan County’s football team being placed ninth in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s football rankings for the state last week.
“It’s the first time we’ve been ranked in a number of years. Our kids are excited about that, and I’m happy for them because it’s always good to be thought of.”
More than anything Malone wants, “the kids to enjoy what we’ve done so far.”
The Bulldogs’ record now stands at 3-0, Oconee’s only 1-2. However, Malone isn’t satisfied with the perfect record so far this season.
“It’s been the third year in a row that we’ve started off 3-0, but we’ve going to do our best to make sure it’s not the third year in a row that we go 3-1.”

Printed in the September 27, 2012 edition