Mistakes aren’t good for any football team, but Putnam County just had too many of them last Friday against Laney.
The War Eagles (1-2) had five turnovers, which helped the Wildcats (2-1) secure a 46-16 win at Al Reaves Field in Eatonton.
Putnam County struggled offensively because of turnovers. The War Eagles’ inability to protect the ball allowed Laney to get good field position and carry out scoring drives. The Wildcats repeatedly took advantage of Putnam’s mistakes.
“Well, we didn’t really help ourselves with five turnovers and one of those turnovers resulting in a scoop-and-score for Laney,” Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin said after the loss.
Harvin also thought his team didn’t run the ball effectively. The War Eagles’ main strength is their ground game, but Laney’s front-seven limited Putnam’s stable of tailbacks with their ability to get in the backfield and close gaps.
“We tried a few things that we thought would work matchup-wise, but Laney was just much bigger than us in the box, and maybe we outcoached ourselves a bit and lacked confidence in what we normally do on offense,” Harvin said. “So, all those factors combined, it just wasn’t a good showing. And yes, we are a running team. We’re going to go back to the basics and focus on what we truly are, not trying to be something we’re not.”
Harvin was also visibly frustrated with his defensive unit, which couldn’t seem to get off the field on fourth down. Mistakes allowed Laney to sustain drives that should have died, with the Wildcats scoring two touchdowns after the War Eagles let them convert a pair of fourth downs.
“We didn’t really do anything to help ourselves offensively. I thought defensively we did a pretty good job,” Harvin explained. “We just didn’t get off the field on 3rd and 10, and there were a couple of fourth-down plays that they were able to capitalize on a pass interference call or a penalty that was thrown for a face mask, which we didn’t do. There was nobody who grabbed the face mask. We went back and watched the film.
“So, two big fourth-down plays ended up in two touchdowns on defense that we just couldn’t get off the field. And then, offensively, not taking care of the football, and it just wasn’t a good showing for us.”
Harvin knows what it looks like to be in Laney’s place. Putnam County capitalized on Greene County’s mistakes in the season opener, leading to a 42-15 win on Aug. 15; however, the roles have been reversed the past two weeks. The War Eagles struggled in week two against Morgan County, resulting in a 46-14 loss.
“That’s what happens when you don’t take care of the ball, you get beaten by teams that you probably should beat,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. If you turn the ball over five times, it’s hard to win.”
Beyond all the mistakes, Harvin thinks his team did some good things.
“Ethan Watley made a few plays at quarterback, but a little bit of his inexperience showed as far as throwing the ball,” he said. “But we’ve got to try and limit him from being in those pressure situations and having to make the big plays. So, there are bright spots. He had a lot of good reads, made a lot of good plays with his feet.”
Whatley accounted for Putnam’s two touchdowns. He rushed for one and passed to senior Jayson Smith for another.
“(Ethan) had a decent night overall. He’s got to fix his decision-making on some of the plays where he could just tuck and run it, or make the right read and throw an easy pitch instead of trying to force some things,” Harvin added. “So, I’m pleased with his effort. He played hard.
“He also has to go in on defense and play as well, so it’s not like most programs where your quarterback is just your quarterback. He’s having to learn both defense and offense, and also being put in some pressure situations. So, I’m really proud of his effort.”
Harvin and his War Eagles visit Haralson County in Tallapoosa this Friday for a 7:30 p.m. start against the Rebels.