Second-year Nanih Waiya head football coach James Courtney isn’t beating around the bush when asked where his team needs the most improvement.
“We have got to get better up front,” Courtney said in reference to the offensive line. Those battling for playing time will get a chance to show where they stand when the Warriors square off against Class 2A East Webster at 11 a.m. Saturday in the New Hope Jamboree being played at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba.
“We are going to play seven guys on the offensive front and who ever wins it, wins it,” he said. “No matter how good you are in the backfield you have to have guys up front who do their jobs.”
After two weeks of practice Courtney says it's time to see where his team is.
“Ready or not, we are going to be there,” he said of the jamboree matchup with the Wolverines. “We are going to throw them out there. We have a couple positions that are up for grabs.”
The Warriors open the season at home against Class 4A West Lauderdale on Aug. 23, before entertaining 2A Union on Aug. 30.
Courtney says he has no problem playing a challenging schedule, but avoiding injuries is important.
“If we stay healthy it will help us,” he said. “It is going to help us the further along we get into the season.”
