GAME PREVIEWS: Summit Looks to Build on Record-Setting Night; Spring Hill Visits Dickson County

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By JOSH VARDAMAN

Lebanon (0-2) at Summit (2-1), 7 p.m. Friday

The Summit Spartans’ offense was hot in Week 3 like no Williamson County Schools team has ever been.

On the road at Shelbyville, the Spartans creamed the Golden Eagles 71-34, scoring the most points in WCS history.

“We busted a few big plays earlier in the game, and just momentum carried us on,” SHS head coach Brian Coleman said. “The same things we had been running, nothing really fancy or anything real special, but the guys just kind of turned it on a little bit and the offensive line did a great job for our backs.”

Summit RB Tai Carter
Summit running back Tai Carter (Photo by Andy Collignon)

Summit will aim to carry its momentum into a Week 4 matchup Friday at home against a winless Lebanon Blue Devils team.

Last season, the Blue Devils stymied the Spartans’ offense and cruised to a 41-3 win.

“Last year they did some different things against us, as far as their defensive scheme, that really messed with us, and we expect them to do the same thing to us,” Coleman said.

The Spartans will hope to get running back Tai Carter going early. The junior led the way in Week 3 with 17 rushes for 223 yards and four touchdowns.

Carter’s big night could be the product of finally getting some kinks rolled out, health-wise.

“Tai ran the ball really, really well,” Coleman said. “I think he’s finally getting healthy, so he played at a really high level. That really helps us out a lot. If he can stay healthy, he’s a great runner.”

In total, three Spartans ran for 100-plus yards against Shelbyville. As a team they ran for 534 yards on 53 attempts.

If Summit is going to take down Lebanon, it will also have to do more on the defensive side of the ball than it did against the Blue Devils in 2015. The Spartans gave up 264 yards and six touchdowns on the ground to Lebanon’s triple-option last season.

“They have a lot of speed in the backfield,” Coleman said. “We have to be responsible so no one gets left alone and no one breaks a big run or anything like that.”

The battle Friday will come down to whose rushing attack can dominate the other’s defense more. If Week 3 was any predictor, Summit may very well have the leg up.

“If you do things right, we’re going to score some points,” Coleman said. “It’s got to be encouraging and give them a little bit of confidence, I hope.”

Spring Hill (2-1) at Dickson County (1-3), 7 p.m. Friday

The Spring Hill Raiders may be in for a big offensive night Friday on the road at Dickson County.

Spring Hill RB Dontae Smith
Spring Hill running back Dontae Smith

The Cougars come into Week 4 having given up an average of 43 points per game through their first three contests.

In Week 3 against Centennial, Dickson County gave up 362 yards and four touchdowns rushing.

That should make Spring Hill running back Dontae Smith confident, as he goes into this week fresh off running for 154 yards and a score against Page in the Raiders’ Week 3 loss.

The Raiders will have to deal defensively with Cougar quarterback Jacob Murphree, who tossed for 332 yards against Centennial on 22-of-41 passing. He also threw five interceptions.

Last season, Murphree torched the Spring Hill defense for 247 yards and four touchdowns, while Smith ran for 106 yards and a score for the Raiders. The Cougars won that contest 49-42.

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