After taking its bye week last week, Bradwell Institute will be in Springfield tonight to face the Effingham County Rebels in a Region 3-AAAAA contest.
The Rebels hold a 2-1 record and are averaging 18.7 points per game. Effingham, which also had a bye week last week, comes in with a potent rushing attack. The Rebels rushed for 586 yards in their first three games, getting 300 yards against South Effingham two weeks ago.
Bradwell football coach Adam Carter said the Rebels likely will push the running game, and his team will need to match the Rebels’ pace.
“Effingham is big, physical and athletic … We have to play a perfect game. We can’t turn the ball over,” he said. “We have to keep our offense on the field, and our defense has to find a way to quickly get off the field. They are going to run the ball at our face the whole night, and we need to find a way to get them off the field on third down and put them in third and long situations and find a way to keep the ball in our hands.”
If Carter can keep his offense on the field, the Tigers (1-2) can inflict some damage as well. Bradwell averages 25.3 points per game and has amassed 648 rushing yards in three games. The Tigers’ special teams have done well with 273 yards in kick returns, including one for a 79 yard touchdown.
With the added week of rest, Carter said injured players are back in the rotation.
“We are all healthy. Everybody is on board,” he said.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.