PREVIEW -- Lakewood at Rosewood

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on October 6, 2016 10:09 AM

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Area football coaches speak largely the same tongue this time of year, from Pikeville's northeast shingle to the narrow hallways of Dudley, and all points in between.

Tossed about with regularity are prime-time keywords such as balance, discipline and heart. Game-planning phrases like "whistle-to-whistle" get their fair allotment of broadcast air as well.

But there's a reason why -- it's the cold, harsh truth.

Within the coach-speaking, rote maxims are fundamental concepts and habits that help good teams accomplish great things, and stumbling outfits find a means to their footing.

Such will be the case tonight when Carolina 1-A foes Lakewood and Rosewood, both seeking a return to proper form following setbacks a week ago, square off at Branch Pope Field.

The Eagles (3-4 overall, 1-1 Carolina) have been charged with readying quickly, the result of Hurricane Matthew's impending arrival and the decision by Wayne County Public Schools officials earlier this week to reschedule all after-school events on Friday.

The game plan? Simple.

To a man, control the controllables. Work efficiently.

Solve what's in front of you-- no frills.

"Our quarterback will have to make good decisions," head coach Robert Britt said. "And they usually have really good linebacker play. Solid all around -- we'll have to be balanced."

That means bringing a diverse challenge to rough and tumble Lakewood, the top-ranked defensive team in Carolina 1-A play. Thus far, the Leopards have allowed just 75 points on the season -- a margin that bests the second-ranked troupe by 45 points and boasts two shutouts.

Not exactly a picnic.

But with Cameron Helt, anything is possible.

The signal caller is enjoying a stellar senior campaign, and enters the contest having already collected 1,000 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns to boot -- numbers he will have to improve should Rosewood get back to its winning ways.

And Lakewood (4-3, 1-1), which tendered a puzzling performance in last week's 13-6 loss at North Duplin, will be on the ready -- short week or not.

"Last year, they probably defended us as well as anyone did all year long," Britt noted. "(But) if we're doing what we're taught to do... and (Cam) makes good decisions on what we call, we'll be okay."

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.