Gamecocks look to rebound in region matchup with Slocomb

The New Brockton Gamecocks (1-3, 1-2) will host the Slocomb Red Tops (4-1, 2-0) at Bates Memorial Stadium in Enterprise this week for a Class 3A, Region 2 showdown.

New Brockton is coming off a frustrating loss to Class 4A’s WS Neal, while Slocomb has won four straight games after opening the season with a loss.

The Red Top offense is averaging 46 points per game, while the Gamecocks have given up 43 points or more in three of their four games this season.

“Offensively, it’s the No. 25 and No. 1 show over there,” New Brockton coach Zack Holmes said of Slocomb playmakers Jaylen Nobles and Rashawn Miller. “They have those two backs that are exceptional players and everything goes through them.

“I think because of their running backs, though, the quarterback kind of gets overlooked and he is a really good football player. They have three weapons that you have to deal with and they do a good job of moving the Nobles kid around at running back and receiver.”

After a frustrating performance against Wicksburg on Sept. 18, New Brockton quarterback Kaden Cupp bounced back to pass and rush for 100 yards and score three touchdowns last week, but Holmes said the biggest difference was the performance of the offensive line.

“It starts up front and we started four sophomores on the offensive line,” Holmes said. “Both our guards and tackles were sophomores and it was probably our most solid performance up front.

“We averaged around 7.6 yards per carry, which is pretty good and Kaden made some plays with his feet and his arm. I’ve always said that offensively we’ll go where the offensive line goes. I think we’re finding out the right mix of guys up front.”

Holmes said the shakeup on the line is a result of injury and just trying to find that right mix.

“Andrew German has been out but hopefully we will get him back this week. We’re just trying to find that right mix like I said, though,” Holmes emphasized. “Last year what made that offensive line so special is that it was the right mix of guys. Finding that right mix of guys and chemistry is important.”

Holmes said that the Gamecocks have learned something every week and he wants to see that continue this week.

“I just want to see us continue to grow,” Holmes said. “In week one, against Opp, we learned the level of intensity you need to play with to play good football. Week two we built on that and (week three) in the hurricane game we learned just how important practice was.

“(Last) week was about commitment and putting our heart and soul into everything. I think pulling all those things together, that’s what winning football takes. It takes guys that are intense every day that makes it important to them and prepares the right way and goes out there and plays with your heart and soul on Friday night. I want to see us build on what we did last week. Every week doesn’t have to be a brand new week, just keep building on (the previous week) and grow from that.”