PREVIEW: Gators anxious to get another 'W'

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on September 30, 2016 10:13 AM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- By any measure, the numbers were not flattering.

Fumbles, three. Interceptions, one.

Lakewood 29, Spring Creek 0.

A case of varsity blues, so to speak.

But tonight offers the Gators an opportunity to reverse last week's gridiron setback and begin anew in what figures to be a tightly contested Carolina 1-A Conference matchup versus neighboring Hobbton at "the Swamp."

The affair, which also marks homecoming for SC, is the second league contest for both teams. And if the hosts are to begin redeeming from a wobbly 1-5 start, one of their most talented performers will have to shine.

Cue Landon Smothers.

Just a sophomore, the News-Argus area passing leader must rally his troops in the aftermath of last week's contest, one that saw the Gators post just 162 yards of total offense.

The run-heavy, slow-burning exhibit was a significant departure for Spring Creek, which earlier this season dialed up spread formations en masse for its talented signal caller.

Thank the injury bug -- which still lingers over the team in varying degrees -- for the impromptu change of plan.

"We had both of our leading receivers out... and Landon probably had one of his tougher games," noted head coach Aaron Sanders. "And we're going to see how he rebounds from that -- but he's always been a very savvy young man."

To reverse the recent history of the series, he'll have to be.

Since 2004, the Gators have struggled versus Hobbton, dropping 8 of 10 contests by an average of 19 points a game.

That could change tonight, however, following a diligent week of program-wide scrutiny and a full-scale reboot of the team's fundamental work habits.

Call it a blue-and-green state of the union.

"You look at this (as a) transition period," Sanders said. "Coming out of non-conference play, we had to improve on some areas -- at times, we're not tackling real well... and we've struggled with our two-minute drill, getting points in the red zone."

Despite those flaws, the Gators have been competitive throughout the early portion of their schedule -- something Sanders anticipates will only intensify with enhanced on-the-job training.

"Record-wise, we're identical (1-5 overall, 0-1 Carolina 1-A)... both of us are coming in, needing a win bad," the coach said of the matchup. "I'm expecting a good ball game."

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.