Sports

’Cats’ mentality unchanged in new week

• The offensive front could be the next position to see a shakeup as the Wildcats pass the midpoint of the season.

Paul Dehner Jr.

ALBANY — Last week served as a midseason gut-check for the South Georgia Wildcats. Challenged by coach Derek Stingley to play inspired or give up your spot, a solid 53-47 home win against Corpus Christi served as the result.

Though the team could relax during two days off and bask in the positive glow of the crucial victory, there was no relaxation upon a returning to practice Tuesday in thinking the win solved all the team’s problems.

In fact, the same mantra stands.

“Nothing has changed,” Stingley said. “Everybody is still held accountable. Everybody still has to earn their spot for the following week.

Gameplay helps on what you did in the game, but that was the game. Now we are talking practice and other things where you need to show me you deserve to be out there.”

Such was what happened last week with Alvin Ray Jackson, who helped the team win its season opener, but has been inactive untilreturning against Corpus Christi.

Jackson helped South Georgia beat Tennessee Valley back on March 29 with 79 yards receiving and tossed the game-winning lateral to then-quarterback Cecil Lester, but since then sat inactive off the roster.

To prove he belonged back in the rotation, Jackson stood in on scout team at defensive back and linebacker and began to make plays. Watching the hunger and play-making energy Jackson played with, Stingley slotted him in a linebacker and carried one less lineman last week to make room for Jackson.

And it sure looked good when “Big Play Ray” — as he is known — picked off the game-deciding pass with 1:28 remaining in the contest.

“He showed a lot of character from hanging in there and battling,” Stingley said of Jackson’s time on the inactive roaster. “I am glad he could not only make plays, but make a difference.”

Now, the question is this: Who will be the next to make a difference?

The offensive front appears to be the primary target. Though the team played better against Corpus Christi (one sack allowed) than against Tennessee Valley (three sacks), the line still allowed more pressure than Stingley wanted to see.

Stingley has made a habit of scouring the waiver wires and bringing in outside talent to fill positions this year. He says he’s not going that route yet with his offensive line and fullbacks, but the time is drawing closer.

“I think we somewhat may know what they issue may be and we are going to try to correct that, again,” Stingley said. “I think we are going to straighten it out. If things don’t shape out way I want it to be by the bye week, I will be actively looking to do some different things. It is a matter of how we do in practice this week and in the game.”

ROAD KILLING

While some of the Wildcats’ struggles at home have been criticized, their efficiency on the road should be applauded.

South Georgia is a perfect 3-0 away from Albany thus far with wins at Tennessee Valley, Daytona Beach and Austin.

This week, they hit the road again for an important contest at af2 South Division first-place Florida.

“That’s crazy,” middle safety Roland Cola said of the team’s road record. “Something about on the road, it seems like everything goes as planned.”

PEAK OR (TENNESSEE) VALLEY?

The Wildcats trip to Florida will be the most difficult of the season to date. South Georgia traveled to Estero, Fla., last year in the first round of the playoffs andreturned with a victory, but this season Florida has already come to Albany and pulled off a 51-41 win. Florida is 6-1, but lost their undefeated title this past Saturday at Tennessee Valley.

The Vipers have won five in a row now since beginning the season 0-3 and are tied with the Wildcats (5-3) for second place. South Georgia and Tennessee Valley have split and will play a rubber match the final week of the regular season.

“In my mind I think Tennessee, Florida, our team, we are playoff caliber teams,” Stingley said. “It is just a matter of turnovers. I’m not surprised (Tennessee Valley beat Florida). We had our turn to play both and they are both the type of teams that can beat just about anybody.”

As for catching the Firecats coming off a loss, Cola sees some advantages.

“I like them coming off a loss because they are kind of frustrated,” he said. “They are trying to get things together because they know we are coming.”

IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, IT’S …

P.J. Berry’s “Superman” shirt he exposed after a highlight-reel return on Saturday was something the Berry has been utilizing for a while.

He says he has been wearing the Superman T-shirt ever since he was a freshman in college. Though, it rarely is shown off.

“That’s because people would see me walking on the yard, they say, ‘He is not an athlete,’ ”Berry said. “Then I put the shoulder pads and helmet on and it is like a transformation from Clark Kent to Superman.”

Berry currently leads the league in kickoff returns for touchdowns with five.

GANT GOOD TO GO

Defensive end Ray Gant, who led the league in tackles for loss entering last week, was inactive last week with a dislocated shoulder.

He says the shoulder popped out of place twice during the Tennessee Valley game. He attempted to practice early in the week, but couldn’t continue.

Gant is closer to 100 percent this week and looks likely to be healthy to return to the lineup.

But that is not to say his return spot is guaranteed. With Jackson’s ascension at linebacker, that is one less position on a defensive front already consisting of Joe Woolridge, James Harris, Derrick Lloyd, Courtney Young and Melvin Parris.

“There is going to be an odd-man out somewhere,” said Stingley. “With me, a lot of things change week-to-week, especially on defense. Personnel changes, the whole scheme changes. A lot of guys who made big plays this game, might not make them next game.”

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