ScoutSouth.com: Loachapoka at Lanett

Number one ranked Lanett will host second ranked Loachapoka this evening and if you live near Lanett and plan to go, you better get to Morgan-Washburn Stadium early. The Panthers stadium holds upwards of 4,000.

Let's stick with the numbers for this game. Both teams come into this game with 6-0 records and perfect records in their region.

Loachapoka scores an average per game of 35.6 points, and Lanett gives up on average 11.5. Lanett scores 23.29 points per game, and Loachapoka gives up 3.8.

"Well, something's got to give. That is certain," Lanett's head coach Ronnie Sikes said. "We're excited to be in this game and have the game here at home."

Let's dig a little deeper.

Lanett has a heavy front loaded schedule, starting off with 5A Valley (4-2) whom they beat 24-21. Their first six opponents have a record of 17-19.

Loachapoka started off with 3A Lafayette in a 28-8 victory. The Indians' first six opponents had a record of 9-27.

The two teams have shared three common opponents:

Lafayette
Lanett won 34-0
Loachapoka won 28-8

Reeltown
Lanett won 39-14
Loachapoka won 27-8

Barbour County
Lanett won 34-6
Loachapoka won 38-0

Any difference there is negligible.

Lanett has already faced two of the next three teams in the standings behind the Panthers and the Indians. Loachapoka will face a tough task with this game followed by Luverne (3-3; 2-2) and then seventh ranked Highland Home (5-1; 3-1) over the next three weeks.

One of Lanett's stars Stephen Zachary has a hip pointer, but he is cleared to play and will play per Sikes.

"We've got to limit turnovers and have a good kicking game," he added.

Did we mention it is also the Panthers’ homecoming?

"(The distraction) hasn't been too bad. It's been busy today, but we have a senior led team. They are doing a good job," Sikes said.

We asked Sikes if Division one linebacker/tight end prospect Lamanski Ware will play a big part in the game. He gave us a short succinct answer, "Always."

That's enough for me. Lanett wins a close one.

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