PLYMOUTH — It’s been an unusual 48 hours for Washington head coach Sport Sawyer. Typically, Pam Pack’s weekly formula begins with addressing issues associated with the previous game before eventually easing its way into preparation for its next opponent.

This is no typical week. For the first time in his tenure as head coach, Sawyer has just two days to not only formulate a game plan for a defending 1-A state runner up, but also recalibrate from a disappointing first half in Kinston on Monday. Two road games over the course of four days played in less than ideal conditions — a daunting task for a Washington team that’s certainly shown its youth this season.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s new,” Sawyer said while breaking down film late Tuesday night. “We need to fix our mistakes first before we focus on the next game. We’re trying to cram everything into a couple days.”

As Hurricane Joaquin strengthens and approaches eastern North Carolina, Washington must weather a different kind of storm tomorrow — Plymouth’s high-powered running game, a backfield loaded with veterans that has rushed for over 1500 yards through five games. But despite Monday’s disappointing 20-14 loss to Kinston, the Pam Pack enters with a proven rush defense, centered around linebackers-turned-linemen Brandon Jackson and Lexroy Brown, who leads the team with 46 total tackles.

The front seven held Roanoke Rapids to a mere 156 yards rushing on Sept. 18 and managed to contain undefeated Kinston’s dynamic backfield, holding the Vikings scoreless through the final 24 minutes. Plymouth, relying on its signature wing-T offense, brings a more concentrated rushing attack to the table, along with the coaching prowess of Robert Cody, who has navigated the Vikings to the state championship in each of the last three seasons.

“He’s very into coaching,” Sawyer said. “Me and him through the years have crossed each other’s paths at clinics and combines over the years. He loves the game of football and is very dedicated to Plymouth, which is very well established.”

Preseason scrimmages aside, the marquee matchup marks the first time under Sawyer that Washington and Plymouth have shared a gridiron. Confidence, more than anything, will be the catalyst in whether or not the Pam Pack can start off on the right foot. On Monday, the team found itself down big early, facing a 20-0 deficit at the half, but Sawyer was impressed with the way his players fought back, nearly pulling off the upset with less than two minutes remaining in the contest.

“I don’t know if we were intimidated, but there’s really not excuse for us to come out that flat against Kinston,” Sawyer said. “It seems like when the boys gain some confidence it’s like their adrenaline gets amped up. (On Monday in the second half), we scored, the defense stopped them and it was like here we go. Very proud of the guys to keep playing and fighting, but so disappointed that we didn’t finish with all the opportunities we had — a touchdown called back for not lining up correct, I mean that’s just crazy, and a pass that should have been caught. The guys are stepping up, but they have to believe themselves.”

Running back Clinton Pope will also look to get back on track tomorrow after averaging four yards a carry against Kinston (27 carries, 105 yards). The senior leads the Pam Pack in rushing with 715 yards and four touchdowns and will be one of a handful of X-factors in potentially stealing a victory on the road.

 

PREDICTION: PLYMOUTH 30, WASHINGTON 28