Zion Chapel head coach Bradley Bowers says the Rebels must finish drives to win against Central High School tonight.

The Rebels, 1-5, travel to Hayneville to face the Central Lions. Kickoff is 7 p.m. in Sellers Stadium.

After losing to Kinston 14-8 last week, Bowers said his team has focused on a recurring theme.

“It’s finishing drives,” he said. “That’s one of the big things weeks at practice. Everything we’ve done we’ve been pretty good between the 20s,so we’ve just got to improve inside the 20s.”

Bowers said the coaching staff has stressed to the team that the game is like a boxing match, and slow starts are not an advantage.

“We talked to them this week about a game being like a boxing match,” Bowers said. “You do have to come out of the shoot with the first round. You have to come out, and you have to get things started. You can’t just watch your opponent. It’s been tough for us. We just can’t replicate that speed of play at practice with our scout team. It’s something we have addressed so we don’t put ourselves behind the eight ball early out.”

Bowers said his offensive linemen had been able to pull together for the team and provide a lot of leadership for the Rebels.

“As a group, with the offensive line they’ve developed a mentality to where we aren’t going to be pushed around,” Bowers said. “They’re kind of adopted the philosophy that our coaches have that if the game is going to be won or lost, it’s going to be won or lost upfront. They’ve kind of taken it on, and that’s something they take pride in.”

The coach is optimistic headed to Central. “We feel like if we’re able to play well and cut down our mistakes, we’ll be able to do well …. We have every intention to get on the bus Friday and come back with win.”