Story by Rusty Ellis
Livingston Academy opens their 2021 season on Friday when they face the White County Warriors at Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium, marking the debut of new head coach Dale Flatt.
The team wrapped up its preseason schedule on Saturday when they took on Gordonsville in Smith County’s jamboree, falling 14-6 to the Tigers. Though it wasn’t the desired outcome, Flatt says the effort he saw was encouraging.
“The kids played as hard as they could,” Flatt said. “We executed well, and the players played hard. I thought it was a much better showing than what we had in the previous two scrimmages. I think our kids are ready, and I think they’re ready for White County.”
Going to as many scrimmages and 7-on-7 camps was Flatt’s goal, as he wanted to give his players a chance to build their chemistry and rapport with each other.
“I tried to get to as many as I could so we could get our timing down with our quarterback and receivers,” Flatt said. “I’m trying to give them as much exposure as I can give them so that when they get into that first game, they’ll be ready to go.”
When the Warriors and Wildcats got together last season, White County took a commanding lead early and appeared as if they were going to run away with it. A furious LA comeback saw the Wildcats almost force overtime, but they fell just short by a score of 34-28.
The biggest difference in that game and the one on Friday is the availability of Malaki Dowell, who missed that game after tearing his ACL. He and sophomore Owen Adams are at the top of Flatt’s defensive priorities, as his unit gets a tough test right out of the gate.
“I think containment is the best way (to stop them),” Flatt said. “I hate to say that two players are going to make the difference, but those two are exceptional athletes…I know from the reports I’ve got that they don’t throw as much because they have (those two), and if you have players like that on your team, you aren’t going to throw that much. You’re going to run that ball.”
For Livingston offensively, the task is going to be just as tough. White County’s physical defensive line will be another test for a young Wildcat offensive line tasked with protecting sophomore Brodey Coffee. Flatt says the goal for his team is to be balanced and mix things up to counter the physical play of the Warriors.
“We try to have an equal attack of throwing and running the ball,” Flatt said. “I feel like we have some skilled athletes at receiver…as far as whether we’re going to be a running team or a passing team, we’re going to try to equal it out, and try to have an equal attack against someone else.”
The Wildcats and Warriors will do battle within the confines of Tennessee Tech’s Tucker Stadium on Friday at 7 P.M. The game will be live-streamed on the Upper Cumberland Reporter’s Facebook page.