By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal
The Central-Hayneville Lions showed grit on
defense as they played through sloppy field
conditions Friday night to hold the Highland
Home Flying Squadron to two touchdowns, but fell
13-0 on the road.
Central Athletic Director Toriano Baker said
that was due to inconsistency on offense and
that coaches have got to do a better job of
getting the ball to the playmakers. But he said
he feels the football program at Central is
headed in the right direction.
The interior defense played well for us,” Baker
said. “ Highland Home was not able to run the
ball down the middle because of the defensive
linemen that we have.”
He said the Lions’; weakness Friday night was in
the defensive back play. “They got the most of
their yardage running the ball on the outside,”
he said.
Baker said the defensive play of the Lions was
well balanced and showed great improvement over
last year’s team, which gave up 60 plus points
to the Flying Squadron.
”And this year was a big turn around,” he said.
“The defense is getting better. Our chemistry is
getting better. And that’s an attest to the
leadership that coach (James) Bibb has brought
to the team.”
The Lions will play Elba in their first home
game in two years this Friday.
“We are looking forward to the challenge because
our guys are getting better. And Elba is going
to be great test because that is going to be a
great measure of where we are because they are
so good,” Baker said.
“I am extremely pleased with the development of
the players. We just have more confidence this
year to compete. We’ve been weightlifting and we
are able to compete because we are stronger and
we’re focused, and I just think the program is
headed in the right direction,” he said.