Blue Eagles entertain Forestview Jaguars

Seeking to rebound from a 40-0 season-opening loss to Westside, the Clover High School football team is in reload mode for Friday’s game against Forestview.

The game starts at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

“It’s a very good Forestview team,” head coach Chad Smith said about the North Carolina school. “Their headliner is Moe Neal, a running back who is committed to Syracuse.”

Neal has had offers from other Division 1 schools, including Mississippi State of the football-rich SEC.

“He’s one of the most dynamic athletes we’ll face all year,” said Smith. The team’s coach Chris Medlin “does a great job up there. Right now, they’re supposed to be the best team in Gaston County.”

Forestview opened the season with a 28-14 nonconference win over Providence Day, during which Neal rushed for 266 yards

With the CHS football team continuing its non-region slate of games to prepare for Region 3-AAAA play, Smith knows he can rely on senior placekicker/punter Sam Edmunds.

“Sam has been doing a fantastic job,” Smith said. “He kicked it into the end zone last Friday. We’ve got a good weapon.”

Edmunds, who plays football and soccer at CHS, said he reaps the benefits of both sports.

“Playing two sports keeps me in shape year-round,” he said. “Football helps me in soccer and soccer helps me in football. My focus is staying in shape, staying loose and keeping my legs in shape year-round. It helps me with my power and technique.”

Edmunds said he is ready to embrace the challenge if called on for a field goal try with the game on the line.

Said Edmunds: “Placekicking is more mental than physical, especially when you know there may be a thousand people in the stands, specifically watching you. If you mess up, it’s all riding on you.”

In assessing the Clover’s loss to Westside, Smith said the Blue Eagles ran into a buzz saw.

“They’re a very good football team,” Smith said. “After breaking the film down, we did a lot of stuff we shouldn’t have done. We weren’t nearly as disciplined as we should’ve been.”

Added Smith: “Luckily, we can fix most of the things that were wrong. We’ve got four weeks that we can work and get better before region play starts. I’m excited about that.”

He said he there are better days ahead for Blue Eagle football this season.

“Honestly, our fans have been fantastic,” he said. “I am part of the Clover community now full-fledged, church, going to the store, everything. The people have been very supportive. They understand everybody has a bad game.”

This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Blue Eagles entertain Forestview Jaguars."