It’s been nearly a month since Bradwell fans got the opportunity to see and experience the brand-new stadium rededicated as Olvey Field.
After Liberty County stole the Tigers’ thunder Aug. 31 with a 13-7 win, the Tigers played the next two games on the road and lost both leading up to last week’s bye week.
However, tonight the lights at Olvey will shine bright again, and the Tigers will have the opportunity to earn their first win of the season against Effingham County of Region 3-AAAAA.
It’s a chance to start fresh in a game that counts toward postseason play and seeding.
The Rebels (1-2 overall record) also are coming off a bye week. Prior to that, they won a tough game Sept. 14 over arch-rival South Effingham, 36-22.
Tiger coach Jim Walsh said the bye week helped as his team worked on executing its offense, and injured players got a chance to heal.
“So far, we’ve gone the season without DeAndre Day and Greg Howard,” Walsh said about his top running back and one of his best defensive players, respectively. “But the open week has given them some extra time to rest and get ready, and as of right now both will be playing against Effingham. That will definitely bring a lot of talent and experience back to the lineup.”
Walsh said the Rebels run a traditional I-formation offense, will set up multiple formations and will look to piecemeal their way to the end zone.
“They will try and pound at you; it’s the old three yards and four yards, cloud-of-dust offense,” he said.
Walsh added they are cleaning up their offensive playbook and looking to avoid the errors that were offensive-drive killers during the past three games.
“We’ve always been an option team that will run some power, and we’ve simplified our passing game, trying to get to where we are not making as many mistakes,” Walsh said. “The three games at the beginning of the season, I think it was us being our own worst enemy more so than our opponent. We had too many dropped passes and turnovers.”