ELKINS — Injuries have become a problem at many small county schools this week, and Elkins is no exception.
Elkins (1-1) figures to lose star running back Hunter Guffey for at least Friday's game at Lavaca (1-2) after he hurt his elbow in the first quarter of a 36-8 loss at Huntsville on Friday night. Guffey was taken to the emergency room Friday night and was expected to visit a doctor earlier this week, but his status remains in the air, Elkins coach Aaron Clark said.
In addition to being a starting running back, Guffey was also one of the Elks' starting safeties. He returned punts and kickoffs, and split outside as well at receiver.
The Elks had already lost starting offensive lineman Keith Fields in Week 1 with a detached retina.
"You lose two kids andit's tough," Clark said. "We've got some kids that can step in and get the job. They just have to get some work in this week."
The injuries, coupled with a blowout loss to Huntsville, has Clark looking for some quick fixes.
"Lavaca has one of the best running backs in the league," Clark said. "He's quick, he's fast and he's a good runner. He's not afraid of contact and that poses a lot of problems for us."
Additionally, the Elks have suffered mostly with their pass defense. And with Guffey out, a void is left at safety.
Sophomore Mac Lichner will replace Guffey at safety for the time being and senior Jacob Evans will line up at his spot at running back.
Greenland re-aligns offensive line - again
GREENLAND - Greenland will mix up its offensive line for the fourth straight week after an offensive lineman scheduled a surgery on his knee Thursday.
"We're trying to find the right fix," Greenland coach Tracy Sutton said. "It doesn't seem like anyone wants to be hired. They just want to be fired."
Greenland (1-2) has a problem with consistency heading into their trip to Lincoln at 7 p.m. Friday, Sutton said.
A 48-0 win over Western Yell County in Week 2 has been sandwiched by two lopsided losses to West Fork and Pea Ridge, by a combined score of 64-21.
Heading to Lincoln (1-2) to open 1-3A conference play could prove fruitful.The Wolves gave up 51 points in a home loss to Magazine in their nonconference finale Friday.
"We want to compete," Sutton said. "We'll have eight guys do it right and three do it wrong. That's both sides of the ball."
Sutton definitely hasn't lost hope.
"I feel like if they do what we tell them, we'll be fine," he said.
Lincoln offense looking for 'confidence'
LINCOLN - A strong finish on offense last season hasn't necessarily translated into a strongbeginning for the Wolves this year.
Lincoln has yet to score more than two touchdowns in a game, though it won its first game in nearly four years with a 9-7 triumph at Westville (Okla.) High to begin the season.
"We've got to get some confidence," second-year Lincoln coach Brad Harris said.
Lincoln averaged 16 points in its final three games last year as the offense and young players matured, compared to 9 points in its first three games this season.
Execution has beenthe main problem, and a struggling running game has led to a few tweaks this week in practice.
"They'll do well early in the game, and then they get tired," Harris said of the running backs led by Bao Nguyen.
Injuries on the offensive line and players playing both ways hasn't helped much, either.
"We're still staying with our base stuff," Harris said. "We're not going to give up this early. We feel like we had a chance to win Week 2 [a 16-6 loss to Green Forest]. I think we're going to have an opportunity against Greenland.
Sports, Pages 7, 8 on 09/23/2009