SportsZone Football Friday preview: Hickman vs. Rock Bridge
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The postseason has arrived as part two of the Providence Bowl is set to take place this Friday as the 7-2 Rock Bridge Bruins host the 2-7 Hickman Kewpies.
The first time these two teams met was just two weeks ago when Rock Bridge won in dominate fashion 49-0.
Since then, head coach Matt Perkins said the offensive line has taken some blows with left guard Lars Perkins and center Stu Llewellyn both being knocked out with injuries.
"We lost a lot of experience there with those two guys," Perkins said. "They've started almost every game this year and have definitely been a factor in every singe game for us. It's tough to have them right before the season goes into the second season to not have them around."
Although Rock Bridge matched up well with Hickman last time, Perkins said he doesn't think they got the Kewpies best. While he's expecting them to bring more this time around, he said the Bruins job is to control what they can control.
"From here forward it's about us taking care of the football, it's about us having good alignment and it's about us producing whenever it matters," Perkins said. "We just have to take care of business and be sharp and I think that comes from a focus in practice and it comes from a desire to continue the season."
Hickman is coming off of its second win of the season coming back in the second half to defeat Belleville West 22-20.
"The biggest thing was how guys stuck together," said head coach Cedric Alvis. "We've struggled in believing in ourselves and believing that we can be successful. To be down all game and then come back in the fourth quarter, we wouldn't have been able to do that if we hadn't been able to fight so hopefully that pride and belief continues."
Alvis was not satisfied with their last performance against Rock Bridge, but is expecting his team to come into this game with a lot of confidence and fight.
"Rock Bridge is going to present the exact same problems they presented two weeks ago," Alvis said. "They have a really good quarterback, they have a big offensive line, they're fast and they're physical. Nothing up front is going to change, so the problem is still the same. We have to figure out a solution and figure out how to work at it."
Hickman will meet Rock Bridge at Rock Bridge High School Friday at 7 p.m.
