Tornados face major challenge on road

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 3, 2001

Just one week after a shutout homecoming victory, Greenville Academy will face one of the greatest challenges in the schedule, as they travel to play Marengo Academy.

The Marengo Longhorns, entering week seven with a 5-1 record, are ranked in second place in the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) Class-AA bracket.

Marengo defeated Jackson at home, and then Southern Choctaw and Pickens Academy before taking their first loss against Class-AAA first place Monroe Academy.

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Then two weeks ago, the Longhorns shutout tenth place (Class-AAA) Meadowview Academy by a score of 41-0, in what many considered being a shocker.

And last week, Marengo defeated Class-AA ninth place Patrician Academy.

"Marengo is awesome," said Tornados Head Coach Charles Oswald. "They beat Patrician 39-6, and honestly, it could have been much worse."

Oswald, having viewed Marengo's films from their past two matchings, Meadowview and Patrician, said his team definitely has its work cut out for them this week.

"The Longhorns run a 4-3 defense n our key will be to maintain our blocks n if we can do that we will have an alley to run through," Oswald said. "When they (Marengo) played Patrician, they just line up in the power-eye and ran their fullback n we will have to stop him."

Oswald said the Marengo quarterback likes to keep the ball on the option plays, also.

"We are near 100-percent now, that is if Joel Moore will be ready to play this week, and I think the doctor might let him play this week," Oswald said.

As for the team's attitude, Oswald said they are definitely feeling better this week.

"I don't mind saying that it certainly feels better after a winning weekend than a losing one," he said with a smile. "And I know the team feels the same way n they need to hold onto that feeling and remember it, using it as a motivational drive for the rest of the season."

The Tornados will leave early on Friday to travel to Marengo.