RAMS ANTICIPATE BATTLE WITH SLUMPING MAGNOLIA

A week after snapping a three-game losing streak, Lakeside hopes to extend Magnolia's skid for at least another game. After starting 0-3, the Rams beat Camden Fairview 26-14 last week at Austin Field. Magnolia (1-3 overall), meanwhile, has lost three straight games entering tonight's 5A-South matchup at Panther Field. "We're very happy to get a win for sure," Lakeside coach Jared McBride said. "That was a very important game for us in a lot of different facets. Just getting a win and getting some confidence moving into conference play is a big deal." Lakeside turned in its best defensive performance against Fairview. Brandon Chambers paced the Rams with 10 tackles and a forced fumble while Ryan Pelt recorded three of the team's five sacks and Keelan Fleming hauled in an interception. "It was a good night; we had some guys make some big plays," said McBride. "Ryan Pelt made a lot of plays on the defensive line and those guys played better. Overall, we got to the ball pretty quick. I was proud of those guys for getting a couple of turnovers and keeping them out of the end zone." Facing a Magnolia offense that features two Division I prospects, McBride knows his team will need another standout game defensively. Junior running backs Terry Lambert and Kadyn Roach spearhead the ground game for the Cardinals and both are scheduled to visit SEC schools Saturday, Lambert at Alabama and Roach at Arkansas. "It's going to be tough, especially with the style of offense that they use," McBride said. "They try to stay balanced and not let you load up one way or the other. For us, it's going to be sticking to what your assignment is and tackling in space. That's a deal that we've had some issues with, but we're going to have to be better to be productive." Lakeside boasts an impressive backfield tandem, Michael James averaging a team-high 10.4 yards per carry while Dupree Swanson seems destined to improve on his breakout junior season. Swanson, earning all-state honors in 2016 with 1,494 yards and 23 touchdowns, has 798 yards with 12 touchdowns through four games. "We've gotten better as a unit up front," said McBride. "He's done a great job. He's a smart player and he runs hard, but I think overall the guys in front of him have improved a little bit each time. He's getting better individually and we're getting better as a team." The Rams edged Magnolia 21-13 last year at Austin Field, Logan Gower's last-play interception securing the victory. With the Panthers looking to break into the 5A-South playoff picture, McBride expects another close battle tonight. "It's tough to play down there any year and they're a good football team that's trying to get in the playoffs just like everybody else," he said. "I tell our kids that it's kind of a race to four; how quick can you get to four wins. It would be big for us and they're trying to make that same race."

RAMS ANTICIPATE BATTLE WITH SLUMPING MAGNOLIA

Photo Credit: Mara Kuhn

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