Two teams unfamiliar with one another will be facing off to conclude the Red Carpet Bowl games in Vicksburg on Friday night.
Clarksdale High School (5-7, 3-1 in 2017) will face the host Vicksburg at 8 p.m.
“We really don’t know what Vicksburg’s going to do,” Clarksdale coach Henry Johnson said after last week’s jamboree scrimmage against Madison Palmer at Coahoma Community College. “We’ve just got to go play ball. We’ve got to get better from this game to the Vicksburg game. They say teams make the most growth after their first game. We’re taking this as a game. Hopefully, we can grow a lot between now and Vicksburg.”
The Wildcats will have multiple formations including four-receiver wide, two-receiver wide, three-receiver wide, two backs, tight end and two tight ends.
Senior Cameron Matthews is the starting quarterback and two of the main running backs are senior Antwan Wheeler and junior Queston Skipper.
Clarksdale is also running a 4-3 defense.
Returning defensive starters are senior strong safety Marquavius Williams, linebacker Trey Latham and senior linebacker Kevin Smith.
Vicksburg will run a multiple odd front defense and spread offense.
First-year Vicksburg coach Tim Hughes will be counting on senior receiver Tyrese Wolfe and sophomore starting quarterback Ricky Carraway to lead the way.
“He’ll have to make plays with both his arm and feet,” Hughes said. “He’ll have to throw it and run it for us a little bit, too.”
Hughes knows the Wildcats have traditionally been strong.
“They do well with what they’re doing,” he said of the Wildcats. “They’re physical. We’re going to have to match them with that same physicality.”
The late start is not bothering either coach.
“We’re going to get there early, chill out and get ready to play,” Johnson said.
Hughes is also ready.
“It’s the last game of the night,” he said. “We’ll have to eliminate the mistakes and make the plays we have to make. If we can do that, we’ll have a chance to win it.”
