This isn't a conference game, but Pillow Academy is certainly treating it that way.
Coming off a 28-7 loss to Jackson Prep, the Mustangs look to move above .500 and gain some much-needed confidence with a victory against SBEC Friday night at home. Kickoff is set for 7 at Bill Davis Field.
"We taking this game very seriously. Our guys know it's a big game for us. We need a win to get some momentum going into the start of conference play next week," said fourth-year PA head coach Michael Fair.
The SBEC game marks the second game of a difficult three-game stretch that started against Prep, ranked No. 2 in the statewide academy AAA poll, and ends next week at top-ranked Jackson Academy.
"There are no easy ones in the early part of our schedule. Our guys understand that and know we've got to play hard and smart to beat SBEC," Fair said.
SBEC comes in at 2-0 but hasn't played nearly the competition the Mustangs (1-1) have to start the season. The Trojans opened the season with a pair of lopsided wins against two small private schools in Tennessee: 42-7 over Rossville Christian and 38-14 over Davidson Academy.
But that doesn't mean the Trojans aren't talented.
"This is going to be a tough game, and we are prepared for that. Our guys know they have good players," Fair said.
SBEC's run-oriented offense is led by senior quarterback Josh Kimberlin, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder who has a team-high 33 carries for 304 yards and five touchdowns. Senior tailback Alexander Greer gives the Trojans a potent 1-2 rushing attack with 306 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries - an average of 16.1 yards per rush.
"The quarterback kind of makes them tick. He has offers from Memphis and Arkansas State to play linebacker so that tells you about his personality," Fair said.
The Mustangs have turned the ball over six times in two games, including a couple of costly ones last week in the game against Prep.
"We missed out on some scoring opportunities in that game. That loss has pushed us to work harder this week," Fair said. "We have got to take better care of the ball, and I know we will."
Unlike the first three seasons under Fair, the Mustangs have relied heavily on the pass in the first two games. Senior quarterback Landon Taylor threw the ball 37 times last week, completing 19 passes for a career-high 269 yards with two interceptions.
With 501 passing yards, Taylor is almost halfway to last season's total of 1,078 passing yards in just two games.
"We try to take what the defense gives us. Prep had guys all over the line of scrimmage, determined not to let you run the ball. It's definitely been a little different as far as our offensive philosophy, but I still believe games are won in the trenches," Fair said.
"This year, though, we are setting up the run with the pass. It's been much the opposite in years past."
This will mark the third straight year for Pillow to face SBEC, a Southaven school that plays in a Tennessee league for private schools. The first two have been tightly contested, with Pillow winning 17-15 in a defensive battle in 2009 and 31-28 in a shootout last year.
Fair expects another tight game this time.
• Contact Bill Burrus at bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
