Entering the second week of the season, first-year coach Mario Lane is still trying to learn all he can about his Coahoma County High School football team.
Lane said he is curious as to how his team will respond this Friday night when they host Byhalia after suffering a season-opening 58-0 loss to North Panola.
“I told them, ‘You see where you are. I hope you don’t plan on staying that way.’ We’ve got to get back in and work. Maybe they’ll start believing in some of what I’m telling them.
“We’re trying to break a culture around here of not being competitive. Right now, we’re just trying to get the guys in pads who want to come out here and play 48 minutes,” Lane said.
He is trying to get across the message that a week of good practice often equates to a strong showing on game night.
Lane says there are some bright spots on the roster and he’s still getting to learn his team after he was hired late in the spring and the Red Panthers had limited summer workouts.
“I’m still trying to move pieces around the puzzle and fit it all together,” he said.
With a small roster, he has to create depth and “get some guys ready who probably wouldn’t normally be ready to play.”
“We’ve got to work toward getting better before district time,” he said.
Byhalia’s season started off opposite of Coahoma County as the Class 4A Indians beat Holly Springs, 26-12.
