By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

When the Keith High School Bears football team takes the field Friday night, it will be looking to extend its win streak to two games.

The Bears (2-2, 1-2) will be at home when they face the Southside High School Panthers (0-4, 0-3) Friday at 7 p.m.

Keith head football coach Harry Crum is expecting to face an opponent that resembles Southside teams of the past.

“If they’re anything like they were in the past, I know they’re going to be athletic, and they’re usually bigger than us,” Crum said.

“We’re going to play hard regardless of what they come out with. We’re just going to do what we know how to do.”

What the Bears know how to do is attack opponents offensively with a Wing-T rushing attack.

Crum said he expects the Panthers to try and take away the Bears’ running game.

“I know that they’re going to be looking to take that aspect of the game away,” Crum said.

“But that’s what we are (a running team). We don’t delude ourselves.

“We’re not a spread team or a drop-back passing team. We’re going to try and establish the run first, and everything else is predicated off that.”

Crum said the Bears will look to pound the football with a stable of different backs including Terrell Valazquez, Rodney Ellis, Demarquis Lumpkin, Charles Johnson, Walton Young Jr. and Martavius Harris.

The Bears will be at home for the second week in a row on Friday night.

Friday will also mark the second game in a four-game home stretch for Keith after playing its first three games of the season on the road.

Crum said playing at home will be a boost for his players.

“Most people do feel like home field advantage plays a part, and I think the biggest part is the guys seeing familiar faces,” Crum said.

“Seeing the moms and the dads, brothers and sisters … in the stands, that gives them a bit of an emotional lift seeing that moral support.”