Saints seek their third win

Published 11:16 pm Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The Selma Saints are in position to accomplish a feat they have yet to duplicate since 1994 — a 3-0 start.

They will have their shot on Friday when they travel to Wilcox-Central to take on the Jaguars.

“It would be big for us and the community,” coach Foster Davis said, “but I’ll be happy if the kids play hard.”

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The Selma Saints have roared out of the gate to a 2-0 start — their best start since 2000 — with wins over archrival Southside and Monroe County.

Davis and new offensive coordinator Richard Gosa seem to have had positive influences on a young team that easily could’ve crumbled with the transition to a new coaching staff.

After two games, Selma is 32 points ahead of where it was at this time last year. The Saints are on pace to score 260 points this season — 77 points more than last year.

The Jaguars have not fared so well. They enter Friday’s contest at 0-2, fresh off a 41-20 loss to Sylacauga. They have not had a winning record since 2001.

Despite the Jaguars’ struggles, Davis and the Saints are not taking them lightly.

“They have good size,” he said. “I saw them in the jamboree against Linden, and they appear to be a good team.”

The Saints will also enter the game with some key injuries. Wide receiver Demario Ross will miss the game with a contusion. Junior defensive end Dexter Blackmon and senior offensive linemen Jeremy Peeples and Tommie Strowder will be limited by nagging injuries.

“It looks like the injury bug’s trying to catch up with us,” Davis said. “We’re going to try to cut down on the length of some of these practices and give them a chance to get fresh legs.”

In the Jaguars, Davis sees a shift in defensive philosophy from a 50 defense to a 40.

He also anticipates the unexpected on offense. They will use the wing formation, spread and some motion.

The key to a win on Friday may come down to defense.

“Defense will have to carry us,” Davis said. “We’ve got to play solid.

The Saints and Jaguars kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday at Camden Field in Camden.