After being idle for the last two weeks, Smackover returns to the field for the first time since Sept. 4 when they host Lake Village tonight.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. from Smackover.
Not only is tonight the 6-3A opener for the Bucks, it is also homecoming week.
And while some coaches are leery of the distraction homecoming can bring, Smackover coach David Osborn is glad his team is playing for the first time in three weeks.
“We really need a game this week,” Osborn said. “Of course, homecoming is a big deal and sometimes it can be a distraction, but honestly this whole year has been kind of a distraction. We just need a game and to get some work in. Being a conference game, it's also a big game, but I think our guys are ready to get back on the field with someone different.”
The Bucks (0-1) were originally scheduled to play at Hampton two weeks ago, but that game was canceled due to members of the varsity program being exposed to the coronavirus.
During their hiatus, Osborn said his team has been busy in the weight room.
“We really have worked on strength and conditioning during that time,” Osborn said. “We had a few guys out so it kind of limited what we could do in practice. We spent a lot of time going back and looking at the Junction (City) game and going over all the areas that we needed to improve in.”
Lake Village (0-3) enters off a bye week. They last played two weeks ago when they fell at Strong 16-14, committing seven turnovers that offset the Beavers racking up 398 yards of total offense.
Senior Kenvorris Campbell had 157 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 19 carries in the contest.
When asked about the Beavers, Osborn said their team speed is a weapon.
“You watch them on film and they have speed all over the field,” Osborn said. “They have the ability to break a big play on you at any time. We will need to do our best to keep everything in front of us and limit big plays. They have good size on both sides of the line, and we will have to do a good job on the line of scrimmage.”
If the Bucks are to have a successful homecoming outing and open conference play with a win, Osborn said there were two things his team must accomplish.
“The keys to success for us are going to be to limit mistakes and to play hard for four quarters,” Osborn said. “We can't afford any let up or down time during the game. With the rain we’ve had all week, it will be a wet field, so it will come down to ball control and not giving up the big plays.”