Carterville’s Jamie Jackson crashes through the line to pick up yardage against LaFayette on Sept. 10. The Purple Hurricanes host Ringgold on Friday night.
RICK ROSS/Special
But Cartersville head coach Frank Barden said it isn't Ringgold's perfect record that concerns him as much as the quality of the play that he's been watching on film of the Tigers, who have amassed a 3-0 record.
"When you look at them on film, you can see they are well coached and playing at a high level," Barden said.
The Purple Hurricane coach gives a lot of credit for that to Tiger mentor Robert Akins.
"I think the biggest asset Ringgold (7A-AAA) has is a coach who does a great job of putting them in a scheme where they can be successful," Barden said. "He's very good at what he does."
The Tigers not only look good on film, but their statistics are impressive as well.
They are averaging 35 points a game with wins over Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe (44-21), Murphy, N.C., (25-20) and Pickens County (35-18). Defensively, they are surrendering about 20 points per contest.
They have shown they have heart. Against Murphy two weeks ago, the Tigers had to come from behind to win.
Guiding them in that game was junior quarterback Josh Moore, who sustained an injury early and re-entered the contest with four minutes left. Moore drove the team downfield, where a 2-yard rush gave them their victory.
Moore knows something about passing, as he tossed the pigskin for almost 170 yards against Murphy.
Last week, he threw two touchdown passes against Pickens -- one for more than 90 yards -- and picked up 229 yards through the air.
One of his favorite targets is Jarrod Cooper, who had 202 yards receiving on eight catches against Pickens.
Barden said Ringgold also has a solid running attack, featuring a big back who can pound for yards.
"Their offensive and defensive lines both are big and they are good," he said.
Barden said Moore not only is a good quarterback -- a threat to run or throw -- but a key leader on the team.
The coach said the Canes will be just as concerned about their own play as that of their opponent.
"For us, the big thing is to focus on things we can control," he said. "That's our effort and our ability to do what we need to do so we can be successful."
The coach said practice has been serious this week.
"I think last week we didn't take practice as seriously as we could have," he said. "This week our practices have been better. I think our kids learned it's what you do Monday through Thursday that you'll see Friday nights."
Cartersville (7B-AAA) has the same 3-0 record and, like Ringgold, it has had to come from behind late.
Last Friday night, the Canes were trailing 20-14 late in the fourth quarter and found a way to put two touchdowns on the scoreboard to claim a 28-20 victory over LaFayette.
A key to that victory was the play of the offensive line and the play of quarterback Trey Graves, who directed a balanced attack throughout the night.
The Canes also have their big-play men, such as Jamie Jackson, who scored three touchdowns -- one on a defensive play. Kendall Martinez also made a key defensive play, blocking an extra point in the contest.
Barden credited the Cane kicking game as being just as important in the victory as the way Cartersville refused to quit when the Ramblers took their late lead.
Barden said Friday night's game is what high school football is all about.
"Ringgold is going to be a big challenge," he said. "It'll be at home and it'll be fun for players and our coaching staff."
Game time is at 7:30 p.m.