GAME OF THE WEEK: Knights will try to slow down Lee

By Corine Gatti

Published: September 25, 2008

Toss aside Robert E. Lee’s spotless record 5-0 record.

Tonight it’s business as usual for the Leemen as coach David Tibbs leads his squad for their homecoming game against Turner Ashby.

“I don’t care what record you have,” Tibbs said. “You can be 5-0 or 0-5, that doesn’t matter. You have to stay the course, and stick to your routine, so you better keep working on blocking and tackling. Nothing has changed, we still have to work on the small things.”

The Knights (2-2) blanked Spotswood on the road 21-0 on Sept. 12. Although, Spotswood is in the basement in the Massanutten District, Tibbs viewed the contest not as a David and Goliath scenario.

“This will be one of our toughest games yet this year,” Tibbs said. “They are a very good football team. They have a history of eight to 10 years of winning football. They are as good as anybody and are very well coached.”

TA coach Charlie Newman showed a mutual respect for the Leemen, by preparing his squad to halt their No. 1 threat — Dae’Quan Scott. Against Broadway, Scott climbed to 1,000 rushing yards with 19 touchdowns this season.

“Lee has an explosive offense. If we want to win, we must contain and stop Dae’ Quan Scott,” Newman said. “They also have a great running back [Terrell] Mickens. We need to control the line of scrimmage, otherwise we won’t win.”

Newman attended the Lee and Broadway game on Sept. 19 and observed Mickens’ work.

“I watched him, and on 27 plays he was 27. Broadway could not stop him. You can’t give that offense any holes,” he said.

Leading for the Knights is senior running back Cole Hart with 381 yards in four games with four touchdowns. The Knights will try to neutralize Lee’s offense by mixing up their running and passing game.

The Leemen will pretend that their perfect record in the Southern Valley doesn’t exist.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a winning record or not,” Tibbs said. “You have to stay focused if you want to win.”