Davis and Ringling haven’t played since the mid-’90s but that will all change tonight when the two powerhouses collide tonight in Davis.
It has all the makings of a heavyweight fight. Both enter with respect as Ringling is the third-ranked team in Class A, while Davis is third in 2A. And time and again, both are the last ones in the area to be on the football field rather than the hardwood in late November.
“These kids don’t know it, but we used to play every year,” Ringling coach Tracy Gandy said. “All they hear are the old-timer stories. But this game brings out the best in us. Anytime you play a good team like Davis. It’s good for the fans and it’s good for the community.”
It’s a matchup that will be won on the offensive and defensive lines.
“If we have one advantage and that’s a big if, it’s on the offensive line. Our guys are very big and physical. Our line is a little bigger but they move their guys around a lot. The key will be if our guys can find their guys and pick them up on the slants,” Gandy said. “We have to be very physical and play smart.
“Our offense will go as far as the line will let them.”
That’s the big question mark for tonight: Can Ringling move the ball on the Davis defense? So far, nobody has. Through two scrimmages the Wolves have posted consecutive shutouts.
“I think we improved. We played some pretty good teams in Newcastle and Purcell and we were able to keep them from scoring any points,” coach Jody Weber said. “The defense looked a lot better, the guys were flying around out there.”
The Wolves offensive line is coming along as well, which is a good thing for Matt Burba, who should lead the rushing attack.
Weber said his squad made the biggest improvement between the two scrimmages on the offensive line.
It’s a game that should give both teams a good measuring stick of where they stand.
“That’s why they are on our schedule,” Gandy said. “I wanted to learn in Week 1 what our strengths are and what our weaknesses are. And this right here will tell us. Regardless of if we win or lose, we are going to know what we need to work on and try to become the best football team that we can be when the season is done.”
Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m.
Eric Spruill
221-6527
