Inside the “C” on the Central Purple Pounders’ football helmets is a sticker reminding them of how they must play every game.
After defensive coordinator Charles Shultz designed a shirt with a skull-and-crossbones image and the slogan “Four quarters of pain,” players had their wish granted when they asked to wear the image as a helmet decal.
“We embrace four quarters of pain. We take it seriously,” said senior defensive back Kyree Steward, whose four interceptions lead the team. “That’s our motto. We have to embrace it because that’s how we have to come every time we are on the field. Our schedule isn’t easy, so if we don’t do it to them, they are going to do it to us.
“It’s a good mindset to have.”
On Friday night, Central will attempt to inflict pain on Region 3-4A rival Red Bank for a second straight year. The Pounders held the Lions to 39 rushing yards and returned two fumbles for scores in a 23-21 victory last season.
Central (3-1, 2-0) will face a tough road challenge without linebacker Londen Martin, a fourth-year starter who had 12 tackles and a sack in last year’s win over the Lions, but the defense has reliable contributors from front to back.
Fellow senior Chris Nichols, a tackle with eight stops for loss and five sacks this season, “is really doing a great job,” Central coach Curt Jones said.
“Our defense is very physical, and Tyran Forte is a big part of that in our secondary as well as Larry Henderson at outside linebacker,” Jones added. “Trevion Toney and AJ Copeland are getting after it on the defensive line, too. The engine right now for us with Londen Martin being out with an injury is junior linebacker Leundre Hinton.”
Hinton had three sacks in last week’s 34-16 region win at Hixson and will look to keep the pressure coming against Red Bank (3-0), which is ranked fourth in Class 4A and opened region play last week by beating Soddy-Daisy 33-7.
Red Bank senior AD Crutcher, who has rushed for at least 100 yards in all three games, leads a deep group of running backs that includes sophomore standout Daune Morris, and Crutcher and Morris are both versatile enough to contribute as receivers.
“We are not seeking revenge. This is just the next game up,” Lions coach Ted Gatewood said. “The only thing we can control is how we prepare and execute once we play the game. Our guys are focused and excited to get back out there to defend our home field.”
Red Bank has the area’s third-best scoring defense, having allowed 6.3 points per game, and senior lineman Cameron Jackson has provided stellar leadership for the stout group that will try to stop quarterback Ronye’ Watson. The Central sophomore has averaged 231 passing yards and 43 rushing yards per game.
Donovan Smith, who had 92 receiving yards and an interception against Red Bank last year, has averaged 16.9 yards per catch this season, and Houston Boykin, Marquise High and Tristan Odom are playmakers, too.
“This is going to be a hard-hitting game with lots of action,” Jones said. “The team that makes the least mistakes is going to win.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.