TATUM, Texas — CBS19 Under the Lights' Game of the Week is over in Tatum, where the Eagles are hosting the West Rusk Raiders.
These two teams are no strangers, but a lot is at stake with district matchups starting next week. This is the last chance for these teams to brush up and clean up.
"We were unfortunate Friday and came up a couple points shorts – and it was actually the first time in my career we scored more touchdowns than the other team and lost," Tatum football head coach Whitney Keeling.
The Tatum Eagles are coming off their first loss of the season.
"We missed every extra point, so we have some work to do in the kicking game," Keeling said.
Despite some downfalls in that match up against Newton, Keeling said they’re dusting off for their game against the West Rusk Raiders.
"They’re talented. Coach Mata and his staff do a great job and we’ve played these guys over the years," Keeling said.
West Rusk head coach Rafe Mata said after facing teams like Gladewater, Diboll and Malakoff, the team has to grow up quickly because the battles won't get any easier. West Rusk is also coming into this game with a loss last week against Gladewater. But Mata says his young team is ready for a beast like Tatum.
"We’ve got a lot of kids playing their first Friday night games. We had a couple that were playing Thursday nights as eighth graders. So to see them grow up like that the last couple of weeks and accept some of the challenges we put in front of them has been good to see," Mata said.
These two teams are no strangers, but each year brings in new team dynamics.
"We were more of a running team with our QB (quarterback) now this year is more of our RB (running back) carrying the load," Keeling said. "We’re going to be sound defensively and play hard and be physical."
Mata said the biggest issue is just taking care of the football.
"So that's going to be a big focus for us this week. Defensively is it's going to be like we always do," Mata said.
For the Eagles, a key part of the plan is "to able to kick the ball."
Tatum will face the Sabine Cardinals next week, and West Rusk will go against Elkhart for their district game next week.