By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

The Southside High School Panthers football team is hoping a return to its home field will help deliver its first victory of the season Friday night.

The Panthers (0-3, 0-2) will play Livingston High School Friday night at 7 p.m. on the Southside campus. Southside head coach Bertrum Crum said returning home after a 78-26 loss to West Blocton should give the Panthers a boost.

“It’s always good to play at home,” Crum said.

“The confines of being at home rather than going on the road, you don’t have to worry about preparing to get there physically, so it’s easier being at home.”

Crum said the Panthers are focusing on improving on technique in order to get their first victory of the season. He said focus will be the key.

“We plan to try and bounce back by focusing on good technique and carrying out all of our assignments,” Crum said.

“I found out this week some of them (the players) have been confused on their assignments at critical junctures on the game. Hopefully, this week going in, everybody will know what their job is and when they’re supposed to perform it, and they’ll be able to perform it at a very high level.”

Crum said the Panthers will be facing one of the state’s biggest 4A schools in Livingston.

“They combined two schools,” Crum said. “As far as I’ve seen on video they’re probably the biggest high school team I’ve ever seen on film. They’ve got some big kids.”

Crum said ball control and solid defense will be key in deciding who wins the game.

“If we take care of the football, limit turnovers and the miscues as it relates to playing assignment football, and if we tackle well (we’ll win),” Crum said.

“Last week’s ballgame we missed more tackles probably than we made.”