BLOG: Eagles Roll into Randolph

The Sharon High football team looks to ride the momentum of a big victory over Stoughton last Saturday against Randolph on Friday night.

“We need to go out there, start fast like we did against Stoughton, and just execute,” said senior captain Jalen Epps. “If we can go out there and be perfect, then we can finish the game in the first quarter.”

The Eagles improved to 6-1 after last weekend’s 16-14 thriller over the Black Knights. Randolph, which plays in the Patriot League, enters at 1-6.

Sharon Head Coach Dave Morse said, “They’re a team that’s clawing away for wins. They’ve been close in a lot of games, so I expect them to give us a battle, just like every other game has been,” Morse added.

“Randolph is a tough team,” said senior captain Bradley Schiff. “We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing. Overall, we’re doing pretty well. Everyone should be healthy. I think we’re going to come out fast.”

Morse says that practice has been strong this week. “Hopefully, we can just keep it going – a lot of momentum, a lot of high-tempo stuff.”

Senior cornerback Bradley Clark says that the Eagles need to maintain intensity against the Blue Devils in the 7 pm tilt at Randolph’s Memorial Field Athletic Stadium.

“It means the world to the team to stay focused,” said Clark. “You really don’t want to give up any momentum, because the more momentum you’ve got, the more it will keep going.”

Of the Blue Devils, Morse said, “They have a lot of good players. They have some really athletic kids that will give us fits in many positions.

“We’ve just got to do our jobs on defense, match up with their speed. We’ve just got to counter their strengths by playing sound football and being responsible to do your job,” the coach added.

Senior cornerback Jameel Emmanuel says that the Eagles must perform well early on. “We need to come out in the first half, no mistakes, like we do in the second half, and just dominate football. That’s it.”

Junior defensive end Erik Kushner said, “We need to hold on the ball, don’t give away points, and execute better overall.”

Morse says that he has reminded his squad that Friday’s game is very important for Randolph.

“You just throw it all on the line, say, ‘This is what’s at stake. This is a team that’s coming out to get you, and they want to ruin your season.’ [I] just am honest with the kids and don’t sugarcoat anything,” Morse said.

While Sharon kicks off against Randolph on Friday night, Stoughton will be doing the same against Oliver Ames. The Black Knights-Tigers Davenport Division matchup will have major playoff implications.

Morse says that the Eagles will not be concerned with the happenings in Easton. “We’re just worrying about Randolph. Randolph is right now. The only game we’re focused on right now is Randolph, and doing what we need to do to beat them.”