By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

Varsity Football Head Coach Bill Malone wasn’t very aware of the dreary weather outside last Monday.
He had spent most of his day watching films of the North Oconee Titans’ games so far this season, picking apart the elements of North Oconee’s offensive and defensive styles so that he could better understand the Bulldogs’ opponent of the week.
After scrutinizing so much footage, the pieces start to come together, and Malone is able to conceptualize and, hopefully, be able to tell what the Titans are going to do next.
“Defensively, everything starts with their front,” began Malone. “There are multiple stunts in the line, a lot of twists, a lot of loops, a lot of slants.”
“They are creating chaos because of their movement.”
But the Bulldogs are accustomed to adjusting to the styles of their opponents.
“We’re getting better every week,” says Coach Malone about his offensive line.
“The growth, the maturity, the understanding of our backs and receivers have grown leaps and bounds since the Greene County game.”
Each week, the players also strengthen their understanding of what it is to be part of a team and relishing their role in the bigger picture.
“What we’re getting now is, those guys who like scoring touchdowns now enjoy making blocks,” insisted Coach Malone. “They do it for one another.”
Coach Malone isn’t worried about his offense’s ability to gain territory on the field after last week’s rushing total, 464 yards in all, which, according to Malone, may be a school record for rushing yards in a single game.
North Oconee’s offense also provides no small amount of intimidation for Morgan County’s defense to overcome.
“Their offensive line is gigantic,” admits Coach Malone. “And they do a very fine job of carrying out their blocks.”
However, Malone is confident that his defense will be able to adapt to the difficulties posed by the Titans’ offensive line, since it has been able to for other offenses in the past.
“Each week, we face a different type of offense,” said Malone.
Overall, there is a mounting sense of excitement in both players and coaches as the game against North Oconee nears. The Titans are a force to be reckoned with in the 8-AAA division, and the Bulldogs are expecting quite a match-up this Friday.
Characteristically, Coach Malone is eager to give his team the chance to prove themselves once again out on the field, no matter who the opponent.
“We have a budding rivalry with North Oconee, and we look forward to going to Bogart and playing them.”

Printed in the October 4th edition.