The End Zone Game of the Week Preview: Mary Persons vs. Crisp County
The End Zone Game of the Week for Week 14 features a GHSA 3A 2nd-round matchup between the Mary Persons Bulldogs and the Crisp County Cougars.
FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The End Zone Game of the Week for Week 14 features a GHSA 3A 2nd-round matchup between the Mary Persons Bulldogs and the Crisp County Cougars.
The Bulldogs entered the state playoffs as one of the hottest teams in Georgia, with their only loss of the season occurring on August 25. They are currently on a 9-game win streak after defeating Long County in the 1st round.
“If you look at what you’ve already done, then there’s some issues there,” coach Brian Nelson said. “If you look too far ahead, that creates nervousness, anxiety, and all those things, so we’ve really been talking about just being in this moment right here. Be in this week. Be in this practice today. Be in the team meeting. Be in the weight room. And just live in that moment of what we do on a day-to-day basis.”
The Cougars were 6-4 after the regular season and are currently on a 3-game win streak after defeating Hephzibah in the 1st round of the state playoffs. The Cougar defense has been the anchor of this team, allowing only 19 points per game.
“Our defense has been playing lights out the entire season, and our offense is trying to catch up, and special teams is trying to catch up as well,” Cougars’ head coach Lawrence Smith said. “But our defense has led the way, and we kind of try to pattern ourselves after the 2000 Ravens. So, we want to continue to play great defense.”
The Bulldogs are looking to reach the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2018, while the Cougars are aiming to achieve the feat for the first time under head coach Lawrence Smith.
“A lot of people don’t understand or know how much work goes into not just one Friday night but a season,” Nelson said. “I mean, these guys have been working since January, day in and day out in the weight training class, and then all summer. There’s just a lot that goes into it, and the casual fan just shows up on Friday and thinks we just show up. There’s a lot that goes into it, and these guys have paid the price.”
The End Zone Game of the Week is set for Friday, November 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Dann Pitts Stadium in Forsyth. Catch highlights on The End Zone during 41NBC News at 11.
