Demopolis looking to improve against Sumter

Tom Causey’s Tigers have all the momentum they could ever want as they return to Class 5A, Region 4 action against Sumter Central this Friday night.

Demopolis has won four straight after an inexplicably flat season-opening performance against rival Thomasville. The latest victory for the Demopolis came last week when the Tigers downed Jackson 28-21 on a Thursday night.

“We played really hard again,” Causey said of the win. “I think that was the difference. We had way too many mistakes and, thank goodness, Jackson did too. We played really, really hard.”

The win came despite the fact that Demopolis fumbled the ball seven times on the night. Two of those drops led to fumble returns for Jackson touchdowns. The folly total means Demopolis has put the ball on the ground 13 times in its last two games, both wins.

“We have to get better every day and really focus on the little things,” Causey said. “If we treat each week the same, when we come out on Fridays, we should perform well. So far, we’ve done a really good job of that. We’re counting on our leadership for that to continue.”

The Tigers will look to improve in those areas Friday when the welcome the Sumter Central Jaguars and new head coach Eddie Jackson.

“Coach Jackson has done a fantastic job. You can see his plan he is trying to get implemented,” Causey said. “They’ve gotten better every week. You can start to see his mark on the team.”

Sumter enters at 1-3, having lost to Greensboro last week. All-time against Demopolis, the Jaguars are 0-2. Still, Causey said he recognizes the talent that permeates the Jaguar roster.

“They want to start by running the football. Terrion Clark and Jarred Henderson, their receivers, look really good,” Causey said. “Running back Alex Watkins is a really good player and their quarterback, Jadarius Wilson, can really throw it. Defensively, they’ve got a (middle linebacker), Tony Evans Jr., who is a really good player.”

The Tigers are set to honor the 2004 and 2009 state championship teams as part of the game, celebrating the 10 and five-year anniversaries of those title wins.

The 2009 team will be honored on the field before the game while the 2004 team and former coach Doug Goodwin are set to be honored at halftime.