NEWBERRY — The Newberry High School Bulldogs will be playing the Fairfield Central High School Griffins tonight at Newberry College. The Bulldogs are currently 3-1 and the Griffins are 2-2.

When it comes to the Griffins’ offense, Newberry Head Coach Phil Strickland said their running back is very good, and they like to run outside the zone. He added that the quarterback is also really good at running the ball and throwing the ball.

“We gotta keep that young man in our sites,” Strickland said. “We have to make sure we are aware of what he is doing at all times, he can hurt you many ways, either running the ball or passing the ball. We have to be aware of where he is at all times.”

The Bulldogs have defeated the Griffins in the Upper State Championship the last two years.

“I am sure they are going to be mad about that, they know what we are going to run before we run it, and vice versa,” Strickland said.

Strickland added that it will be hard to predict what the outcome of this game will be. Both teams lost a lot of seniors, but they are playing a lot of younger players who have talent.

“They do a lot of things exceptionally well, we have our work cut out for us that is for sure,” he said.

The Bulldogs will be playing this home game at Newberry College due to the fact construction of the high school stadium is not complete.

“We have not played there (Newberry College) since I have been here, been years ago. I think this is something we can work through. We are familiar with Newberry College field, and have practiced over there a couple of times. It’s a turf field, but we already played one game on a turf field and a jamboree,” Strickland said. “It would be nice to be on our home field, but it is what it is. We appreciate Newberry College letting us use their field. I think it will be neat to play over there.”

The Bulldogs should be playing on their own field by their next home game, Sept. 30. However, Newberry High is working on a contingency plan, just in case.

Tonight’s game will kick off at 7:30 p.m.

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By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.