Sports Writer

BRUNDIDGE -When the Pike County Bulldogs face off against the Alabama Christian Academy Eagles Friday night, Coach Wayne Grant is hoping that he’ll get to coach from the sideline for the entire game.

Last year the Bulldogs played the Eagles in Montgomery and Grant got tossed for arguing against what he thought was questionable calls. The Bulldogs will be playing ACA in Brundidge this year though as they try to extend an impressive five-game winning streak.

As for the Eagles they only managed to rush for two yards against Lanett in a loss last week. The main reason is because they are a pass-oriented team that seldom runs the ball, and that worries Grant.

"Almost every play that they run is a pass play," Grant said. "I hope we don’t get in a scoring battle with them. If we give up a pass then they can cash in on it and we’re in trouble."

Grant said that he feels that ACA is better than their record indicates. The Eagles are 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the region. In their three wins they’ve proven that they can score by placing 52, 50, and 44 points on the scoreboard.

Last year Pike County lost to the Eagles by a field goal, in a game that Grant said could have gone either way.

"On our first drive last year we ran the ball effectively. We were set up first and goal at their two yard line and then fumbled."

Grant said that he hopes his team is up for the challenge Friday night after a not-so-impressive week of practice.

"I felt like we played a little flat last week against Calhoun, and during practice this week we played a little flat," Grant said. "If we lose this game Friday night the we give up homefield advantage in the playoffs, and we don’t need that to happen. This game is extremely important to us."

The Bulldogs are 5-2 overall and 3-1 in regional play. They have scored a combined 92 points in their last two outings, while allowing only eight points. In those wins PCHS downed Courtland 41-0 and Calhoun 51-8.

Pike County might have an advantage over ACA in the form of the Bulldogs powerful running game. The Bulldogs like to pound opponents with their rushing attack and the Eagles gave up 298 yards on the ground to Lanett last week.