By TODD TRAUB
Leader sports editor
By all accounts, Little Rock Christian is already experiencing a down year after losing Arkansas’ all-time leading high school rusher Michael Dyer to graduation, and then to Auburn.
But the Warriors (0-2) will get no pity from North Pulaski coach Terrod Hatcher.
“No, no, no,” Hatcher said. “Our history isn’t great here. We’re just playing to win. I don’t listen to what they say about any team.
“I just try to prepare my players and see if we pull out a win.”
Hatcher, the former offensive coordinator, is in his first year as head coach and will be trying Friday to help the Falcons (0-2) to their first victory of the season, which would be only their fifth in six-plus years.
North Pulaski is coming off a promising showing against Pulaski Oak Grove last week, and Hatcher and the Falcons will be trying to build on the positives they saw in the 36-12 loss.
“I think we played really well. I don’t think we made any big mistakes as far as offense or defense,” Hatcher said.
After getting blanked 56-0 at 7A/6A-East conference member Searcy in its opener, North Pulaski, of the 5A-Southeast, played consistently and statistically better against Oak Grove.
The offense moved the ball and scored its first points, with Marvin Davis rushing for a 21-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, and a 15-play touchdown drive in the first half that cut the Hornets’ lead to 8-6.
Among the big defensive plays for North Pulaski was a fourth-and-goal stop with linebacker Darius Cage making the tackle at the 5. Cage also scored North Pulaski’s first touchdown at running back.
“I’m impressed with how theyplayed, and they performed really well,” Hatcher said. “I’m trying to get them ready for conference and I think we’re headed in the right direction.”
It wasn’t the play-in, play-out performance that cost the Falcons on Friday, Hatcher said, it was a few isolated plays.
Oak Grove scored on a trick play with running back Eric Parks taking the snap and completing a touchdown pass to the quarterback. The Hornets also had a fumble return and an interception return for touchdowns.
“We had a jump ball that went the other way,” Hatcher said. “We had a fumble and we had an interception for six points. If we eliminate those plays the game is even.”
Sylvan Hills, which North Pulaski will meet later in conference play, won 25-15 at Little Rock Christian on Friday.
Hatcher said his team’s trip to Little Rock gives the Falcons a chance to not only tune up for conference one last time, but to maybe get an idea how they will do against a common opponent.
“You always do that when a team plays somebody and you measure yourself up against them,” Hatcher said. “And I think we’ll probably do that same deal with Sylvan Hills and hopefully we’ll measure up.”
Falcons linebacker/running back Willie Frazier is questionable with a leg injury, which could be a problem for the Falcons’ defense. Hatcher noted that with Dyer and his 8,000 yards, plus tight end Dakota Mosley, all gone to Auburn, the Warriors are more of a passing team.
“We’re going to have to play pass defense,” Hatcher said. “They pass the ball. I think that’s probably their strong point right now.”
When the Falcons have the ball, Hatcher said, he doesn’t want to force things but rather string positive plays together. “We just want to make sure we get first downs,” he said. “We’re not looking for the big play. We’re not looking for the 80-yard touchdown. Once you move the sticks you’ll get in the end zone so we’ll see what happens.”
