By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal
An outnumbered 2A Central-Hayneville squad suffered a 52-26 defeat at the hands of 1A Florala on the road Friday night, but there were many positives from this football contest, according to Central Athletic Director Toriano Baker.
The game was the first under new head football coach James Bibb, who served as an assistant under Keith Scissum, who has moved on to take on the position of principal at Jackson-Steele Elementary in White Hall.
Junior running back Terraris Saffold was an offensive weapon who scored four touchdowns and a 2-point conversion for the Lions, according to Baker.
He also pointed to the “senior leadership” of Javadamous Shuford, who accounted for 16 tackles for Central on defense.
Another positive Baker saw was the fact the Lions trailed just 23-20 at the half. But then that points to the fact the Lions were short on bodies and were worn down in the second half.
“That’s one thing that hurt us in the game,” Baker said, “because they (Florala) had more players to sub out. And my guy were a little tired, seeing that it was the first game of the year.”
But Baker said he thought the Lions demonstrated a better quality of play than last year. “And our guys made fewer penalties than we did last year in regards to jumping offsides.”
He said discipline is improving on the team, and “We are going to continue to activate some more players to allow us to have more bodies.”
And finally, Baker said, overall the Lions fought the entire game.