Putnam County (3-4, 2-1 Class A Division I - Region 4) will host Towers (2-3, 0-2) for Senior Night.
The War Eagles intend to send their class of 2025 off this Friday with a big victory against the Titans.
Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin knows this Friday’s matchup with Towers will be another battle. Despite the Titans’ record, the second-year coach thinks the Titans could give his team trouble.
“[Towers] is very athletic, man. They might be the most athletic team we’ve seen all year,” Harvin explained. “They’re very dangerous because they’ve got guys all over the field who can beat you.”
Towers has had an up-and-down season, with a few lopsided wins and blowout losses. The Titans haven’t proven to play consistently, but with their athleticism, they’ve given the team fits this year.
Towers’ playmakers Neroy Tugwell, Quaricus Hurley, and Jaylen Robinson can stretch the field. The Titans get the ball on the perimeter and attack the edges, which Putnam’s defense must contain.
Putnam’s defense is coming off its best performance after pitching a shutout last week. But the War Eagles have struggled defensively, giving 28.5 points per contest leading up to last week’s game.
According to Harvin, missed tackles have been a major focus this season. He said his players must improve their tackling in space despite being young. He wants “all 11 guys” to make an impact.
“We need all 11 guys to get to the ball,” Harvin said. “We’ve got to make tackles when we get there, and we need to cover the ball well. So, it will be a challenge on the defensive side of the ball.”
Defensively, Towers is hit or miss, giving up 32.4 points per game. The Titans have had trouble getting opposing offenses off the field, and Putnam is coming off its best offensive performance of the year.
Harvin’s squad rushed for over 270 yards against the Utopian Academy last week. He wants to see that physical brand of football return this Friday and is excited to see if his offense can keep rolling.
“Offensively, we knew that our offensive line was going to be our strong suit, led by several seniors who have been here for a couple of years,” he said. “We feel pretty good about guys, and we’re physical. We’ve always challenged them to be physical. I feel pretty good about that side of the ball.”
As far as seniors go, Putnam has 12 on its roster, and Friday night’s contest could be their last game at Al Reaves Field unless the team gets to host a playoff game next month, which is very likely.
The War Eagles will graduate Rashod Daniel, Jamarion Robertson, Braxston Mays, Jaxon Park, Don Dorsey, Kavar Andrews, Bryce Brabham, Isaac Pope, Tyler Dennis, Ryan Parks, Noah Long, and Jason Clemons next spring. These seniors will be honored before the start of Friday’s game.
Harvin has appreciated the class of 2024’s effort since he arrived in Eatonton in early 2023.
“The word to describe them is committed,” Harvin said of the group. “Those guys have gone above and beyond everything I’ve asked in the weight room and at practice. Just doing the small things. They’ve been a good group. I’ve been a part of some staff and programs where it’s not fun to because kids may not be the best, but our kids here are great. I love this group. I consider them some of my favorites throughout the years. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to win ball games.”
Putnam County's game against Towers will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Friday in Eatonton at Al Reaves Field.