PREP NOTEBOOK: Tigers begin title defense against Lake City

The Wilson Tigers have spent the past seven months reaping the benefits of last year’s state championship — media coverage, ring ceremonies and more congratulatory phone calls than they can count.

But all of that begins to subside tonight as the Tigers prepare to take the field in a meaningful game for the first time since December when they host Lake City at 7:30 p.m.

And according to Wilson coach Darryl Page, the time has come for his football team to move on.

“Nobody cares what we did last season now,” Page said. “It’s a new year, everyone’s 0-0 and everyone wants to be where we were last year.

“It was a special group we had last year. We accomplished something great and proved something about ourselves. But now we have an opportunity to prove something again, and that’s the way we’re looking at it.”

In fact, the Tigers are getting back to business as usual. Page didn’t know if the school was planning anything, but it wasn’t going to change their approach against Lake City.

“Lake City always provides a challenge and they’re always good, competitive games,” Page said.

As with any team heading into the first game of the season, Page said his team is focusing on the fundamentals and trying to eliminate mistakes.

“First game, you always want to make sure that you don’t make too many penalties and turn the ball over too much and give yourself a chance to win the game,” Page said. “We’ve had a pretty good week of practice and the kids seem calm and ready to go.”

Rivalry week

Several rivalry will take place in the Pee Dee this week.

Aside from South Florence-West Florence, Dillon and Lake View square off in a county rivalry that dates back to 1930. Dillon has won 10 straight games.

Georgetown-Carvers Bay and Darlington-Hartsville also are county rivals.

Carvers Bay holds a 5-3 all-time mark in their series while Hartsville has won three out of the last four meetings with the Falcons.

Players of the week

Lake View’s Quandon Christian ran 17 times for 184 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-12 win against South Robeson to earn offensive player of the week.

Dillon’s Anquawn Blue had one tackle and intercepted three passes, including one he returned for a touchdown, to earn defensive player of the week.