By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

After winning all four games in their four-game home stretch, the Keith Bears will hit the road and continue their pursuit of the state playoffs.

The Bears (5-2, 3-2) will head north to Hoover to play the Shades Mountain Christian Eagles (3-4, 2-3) Friday at 7 p.m. in a region showdown.

Keith head football coach Harry Crum said the Eagles seem to be improved since the Bears played them last season, and his team will focus on their play in the trenches moving forward.

“We’re focusing on controlling the line of scrimmage,” Crum said. “I think that’s where a lot of games are won and lost. We need to control the line of scrimmage and play sound defensive football.”

Although the Bears are known first and foremost for their Wing-T rushing attack, Crum said their defense is a huge part of their success.

“Our guys really key on hitting hard and doing their assignments,” Crum said. “We’re a very physical team. So, if we take care of our defensive assignments and control the line of scrimmage, I feel like we’ll have a chance to be in most games.”

The Bears fierce rushing attack fuels an offense that is averaging 30 points per game, but Crum said there’s still room to improve.

“Our goal is to improve over last year and I don’t want it to be a foregone conclusion, but up to this point record wise we’re better than we were last year,” Crum said.

“But offensively, when that Wing-T’s clicking and we’re hitting on all cylinders it’s something else, and I don’t think we’ve gotten to that point yet. I don’t think we’ve gotten to the point where I’d like to be. Overall, as a team, I think we’re a B-minus right now. I want us to be at the A level and hopefully we get to the point where we’re peaking at the right time.”