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EAST LIVERPOOL -- The Harrison Central football team is looking to learn from last week's loss.
Union Local scored a touchdown on the first offensive play of the game, and the Jets never looked back en route to a 45-14 victory against the Huskies.
Giving up a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage is not the best way to start a game.
"You are exactly right," Harrison Central (3-1) head coach Anthony Hayes said. "I don't know what happened. We did not play very well. We did not play sound football. We competed, but we did not play sound football. It was out of character for us. We were not fundamentally sound.
"We have to go back to the basics. We have to fix the little things. You don't want them to turn into big things."
Harrison Central will look to get back to its winning ways this week against East Liverpool. The Huskies and Potters game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. Friday night up at Patterson Field.
East Liverpool enters this game coming off a 65-0 loss to rival Beaver Local this past Friday night at home. It was the first game played on the Potters' new turf field.
"Beaver Local has done that to a lot of teams," Hayes said. "Beaver Local is a really good team. I don't think that tells the whole story. Just look at us. I don't think one game can define a team. You can just look at us and Union Local. It is the same with East Liverpool and Beaver Local. You can't just look at one game.
"When I look at East Liverpool, I see a team with athletes and size. They have a veteran head coach.
"I just don't take one thing into account. I take everything into account. They have very good size. They have good athletes. They are tough. We are going to have to be prepared to played them."
East Liverpool opened the season with a 44-7 win at Minerva before falling to Indian Creek (26-14), Salem (38-6) and Beaver Local.
"They are a run heavy football team," Hayes said. "That can change any night. They can run a Wing-T. They can run a double wing. They can spread you out.
"I think they are trying to figure out who they are. I think they are trying to find their identity. They have a hew coach, and he is learning his players.
"As a coach, you want to put your players in the best possible situation so they can succeed. I have no doubt Coach (Don) Phillips will put his kids in the right positions. I'm expecting everything."
The Potters are aggressive on defense.
"They bring a lot of pressure," Hayes said. "They have a lot of skill on the back end. They can play press coverage. They can play man-to-man. They can play zone. They have the skill to do it all.
"Up front they are big. They like to get after you. The linebackers put pressure on the quarterback."
So far this season, Harrison Central has benefited from having one of the best kickers in the valley on its roster.
"I think we have a darn good kicker in Jace Madzia," Hayes said. "I will take my guy over anybody. That is not a knock on their kicker. I will take my guy over everyone else.
"The kicking extends further than just the kicker. You have the kicker, but you also have to block and tackle. You also have to cover and you have to return kicks. I think special teams can make a difference in a football game."
The Potters are looking to bounce back following their loss to the Beavers.
"They have a new beautiful turf field," Hayes said. "The first year we made the playoffs we played our second game up at Patterson Field. I don't know how long it has been around. It is an historic field. The East Liverpool fans are going to be excited. Their team is going to be excited. Hopefully, we travel well. We are going to have to bring our 'A' game."
Harrison Central opened the season with wins against Claymont (36-18), Buckeye Trail (48-20) and Perry Traditional Academy (35-34) before falling to Union Local.
"We are going to have to turn the page on Union Local," Hayes said. "They say you remember losses more than wins.
"We are going to have to learn from that game. We are going to have to get back to basics and fundamentals. If we do that, we are going to give ourselves a shot. If we don't learn from that game, it could be a long night for us."
The Huskies enter this game in 11th place in the Ohio Division V Region 17 Playoff Rankings. The top 16 teams in each region qualify for the playoffs.