For one thing, it’s homecoming.
“It’s a special time of the year for us,” said White, whose team is 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the SIAC. “I get a chance to see a lot of my friends and ex-players, which I really enjoy, and it’s a good time to have the stadium packed. Just one game a year, your campus is loaded with excitement and you want to play well that day.”
The Rams have won their past eight homecoming games since losing, 7-3, against Morris Brown in 1999. Albany State, more specifically, is on a homecoming roll against Clark Atlanta. During the past five homecoming games in which Clark Atlanta was the opponent, the Rams have outscored them by a combined total of 169-19.
This Clark Atlanta team, however, does not seem like the typical homecoming opponent. Since the Panthers (4-2, 3-1) have won their past three SIAC games, White has stressed the importance of not taking today’s opponent lightly.
“You have to play well and not have an off day on homecoming,” White said. “If you have a tough opponent, you have to be sharp and dot every ‘I’ and cross every ‘T.’ We have to prepare well for Clark, and we know that.”
The Rams rushed for 241 yards and passed for 210 more during last Saturday’s 35-14 home win against Stillman. Although no Albany State running back has yet to surpass 100 yards in a game this season, a balanced attacked seemed just as effective against Stillman.
“Well, as an offense, we like to see both the rushing and passing being balanced so you know you can go out there and not hold back on any play calling,” said quarterback Kisan Flakes. “Just let it fly, so it’s always good to see that your offense — as a whole — is going on all cylinders.”
Flakes, who leads the Rams in rushing (178 yards, five TDs) and passing (499 yards, three TDs) will continue to rotate with A.J. McKenna, who has passed for 325 yards and four scores. Naming a starter today will be a game-time decision.
“That won’t change,” White said of the rotation. “That won’t change at all.”
Clark Atlanta, which is led by quarterback and Americus native Cedric Johnson, has had quite a turnaround considering it went 11-21 during the previous three seasons under coach Ted Bahhur.
Leading the Panthers in total offense (227.8 yards per game), Johnson brings a swagger to the team.
“Oh, absolutely,” Bahhur answered after being asked if the Panthers are they most confident they have ever been under him. “We’re not deep, not deep as Albany State. They’re loaded. For us, we’re just a very thin team but we play with a lot of heart.”
Johnson, who played at Americus (2001-03) and then Americus-Sumter his senior season, originally planned to play at Albany State after being kicked off Jacksonville State’s team last spring. However, he changed his mind and went with Clark Atlanta instead.
“It would mean a lot,” Johnson said when asked what it would mean to beat the Rams on their homecoming. “It would mean a whole lot.”
Albany State’s defense has had trouble containing runners around the corners at times, and since Johnson is a mobile quarterback, that could pose problems for the Rams.
“He’s a pretty quick guy,” Rams safety Mario Fuller said. “He makes good reads throwing the ball. All we’ve gotta do is keep him in the pocket. As long as we have him in the pocket, as defensive backs, we will do our job a long as long everybody else takes care of theirs.”
When it comes to the Rams’ running game, Brian Porter led ASU with 75 rushing yards against Stillman. However, he sat out of Friday’s practice because he wasn’t feeling well, according to offensive coordinator Donald Pittman. His status today is uncertain.
Although the Rams also feature Gary Neavins and Demetrice Johnson in the backfield, freshman and former Tift County star Kaream Hess could start today, according to Pittman. He is averaging 6.1 yards a carry and has 98 yards on the year.
In last year’s homecoming game, Albany State jumped to a 14-3 lead during the game’s first five minutes and won, 49-35, against Morehouse. White believes that kind of quick start will be key today.
“I think those first drives are important,” White said. “Who establishes, who’s gonna dominate from scrimmage. The first couple drives will tell a lot.”
