Sports
Looking for payback
Raiders hope to avenge earlier loss to Cougars
Lamar is set to resume playoff action Friday night as it travels to Mendenhall to take on Simpson Academy in the MAIS Class AA state semifinals. While the Raiders (11-1) are looking to avenge their only loss this year, it will be a stiff task. The Cougars beat Lamar 48-21 just four weeks ago.
According to Lamar coach Mac Barnes, this week's practice has gone well despite being low-contact due to a Raider team recovering from last week's physical contest, a 54-41 win at Marshall Academy.
"We're OK and still have people sore and banged up from Friday night," said Barnes. "I think we will be OK by Friday night."
Barnes believes that having already played the Cougars this season works to Lamar's advantage and it has made it easier to prepare for them this week.
"In the first game they showed us the things we weren't that good at," noted Barnes. "We started the next day of practice working on those things. We've seen how they are going to attack us and defend us."
That method of attack comes in the form of the ground game. In the previous meeting, Simpson accrued more than 500 yards rushing. According to Barnes, the Raiders have to step up and play the rush better.
"Their two running backs are just taking turns killing teams," said Barnes. "They get behind that big offensive line and run well. Those are the guys we gotta stop."
Offensively, Barnes is relying on his skill players to do their part.
"In the last game Simpson did a good job at stuffing our wide receivers off the line with their pressure defense," added Barnes. "Hopefully everyone will step up and give a great combined effort. I think we will play much better this time."
Kickoff is set for 7p.m.
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