By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

When the Ellwood Christian Academy Eagles football team takes the field Friday night, it’ll still be looking for a way to capture its first victory of the season.

The Eagles (0-4, 0-2) will be home at Memorial Stadium when they face the Sparta Academy Warriors (1-3, 1-1) Friday night at 7 p.m.

Ellwood head football coach Mike Stokes said his team isn’t putting its head down after another tough defeat.

“The kids are doing pretty good,” Stokes said. “They’re understanding that we played hard (last week), but a few things didn’t go our way and we have to correct some things. Other than that, they’re responding well.”

Stokes said his team has to play a complete game following a 22-6 loss to in-town rival Meadowview in a game that was tied 6-6 deep into the third quarter if it wants to defeat Sparta Academy.

“They’re a good football team and their offensive line is physical, they’ve got good running backs and they have good speed on the corners,” Stokes said. “But I still think if we got out and play the fourth quarter like we did the first three quarters last Thursday we can win the ball game.”

Not playing up to their potential the entire game is something Stokes said has plagued the Eagles all season.

“We just have to play four quarters,” Stokes said. “Like Thursday, we played three quarters and didn’t finish the game. We just have to consistently play four quarters. If we would have done that the whole year, I’m sure our record would be a lot different than what it is now.”

Stokes said the Eagles aren’t making many changes offensively or defensively going into Friday’s game.

The Eagles will be without running back and linebacker Denzel Smiley, who went down with an ankle injury last game, when they take the field Friday.

“I think we’ll get him back next week,” Stokes said. “He’s doing a lot better than we thought he would be doing by now. He wants to play, but we’re not going to risk hurting him any further.”