El Dorado to host Greene County Tech

El Dorado hosts new 6A East opponent Greene County Tech on Friday at Memorial Stadium. The defending state champion Wildcats enter the game with an 0-2 record and need a victory in the worst way.

The Eagles are 1-1, falling in their league opener to Little Rock Catholic (38-16) last week after beating cross-town rival Paragould (35-0) in the opener.

Greene County Tech competed at the 5A level last season, going 5-6 and falling to Camden Fairview 26-21 in the first round of the playoffs.

“They have a lot of size and strength. Offensively, they try to run the football in a powerful way. They’ve got some (offensive) linemen that can move some bodies around. I think they do a good job of getting in different formations and mixing things up. At the end of the day, they want to run the football,” said El Dorado coach Steven Jones.

“On defense, they’re going to play off coverage. They’re going to play sound techniques, try to rally and tackle. We’re going to try to line up and attack the space they make available and go make some plays.”

Greene County Tech is expected to bring a run-oriented offense into the game. Jones estimated the Eagles’ run-to-pass ratio would be 85-to-15.

“They’re two backs, sometimes three backs. I would call it like a 20 personnel look. They’re spread but they’re trying to run the football. They’re trying to find ways to beat you inside the tackle box and push bodies around,” said Jones.

“Their main ball carrier, honestly, is their quarterback. He’s kind of a dual threat guy. They use him as a downhill guy so the running back becomes a lead blocker. They will hand it off to the tailback. They have a couple guys they rotate in there. But, we’ve just got to be physical up front and don’t allow their big offensive line to get underneath our defensive line’s shoulder pads and run the football. We’ve got to be able to line up and stop the run.”

El Dorado is coming off a 27-23 loss at Marion in the conference opener last week. The Wildcats ventured inside the Patriots’ 10-yard line three times without scoring.

El Dorado expects to have senior running back Shadarious Plummer back in the lineup this week.

“We have to be able to establish a run game. I feel like we’re better at quarterback if it’s more of a play-action type scenario than having to truly drop back and try to make plays,” Jones said. “We’re going to try to run the football and continue to try to find unique ways to get DeAndra Burns (Jr.) the ball. He hasn’t had enough touches in the first two games. Everybody’s plan is to put two guys on him. We’ll continue to find ways to be creative and get him the ball in space.”

El Dorado used two quarterbacks last week with seniors Kolin Parker and Jon Brooks Elia both tossing touchdown passes and interceptions.

Jones said Friday’s starter at quarterback would be a, “game-time decision.”

“We’ve been watching those guys closely this week. Right now our completion percentage as a team is below 50 percent. We’ve got to improve in that department and we’ve got to make sure all our calls and protections are right and continue to improve accuracy.”

Greene County Tech showed a 4-3 defensive alignment.

According to Jones, the keys for the Wildcats are to stop the run defensively and, offensively, get the ball into the playmakers’ hands in space.

As for the importance of this game, the coach said his team must find a way to get into the win column.

“Our coaches and kids know that and we need to come out and have a great performance,” said Jones. “I’m really happy with how we’ve practiced so far this week and expect to put out a great product on the field and come out of there with a victory.”

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