By Ronnie Gallagher
rgallagher@salisburypost.com
When the Livingstone Blue Bears marched out of the locker room at halftime last week at Catawba, coach Lamonte Massie asked his team to listen.
“What do you hear?” he asked.
“Nothing,” they replied.
“That’s shock,” Massie told them.
Livingstone trailed the heavily favored Indians just 6-0, and Massie said he was even thinking, “We can upset these guys on their field.”
Didn’t happen, as Catawba exploded for 35 third-quarter points on its way to a 51-0 win.
Massie said the Blue Bears will try to avoid another big quarter when they line up at Bowie State today for their CIAA opener.
Game time is at 1 p.m.
Massie doesn’t think it will be a shock if his 0-3 team beats the Bulldogs today. Bowie has been giving up 27 points per game.
He sees similarities. Bowie (1-2) has been making the same type of mistakes and has had tackling issues.
Massie thinks he can exploit the Bowie defense, especially the secondary.
“Their corners are the same height as my wide receivers,” Massie said. “They’re like 5-8, 5-9. So I think our matchup with them will be pretty good.”
Massie said he is opening up the quarterback battle between Steven Williams and former West Rowan standout Bryan Aycoth. Williams has started the first three games.
“Aycoth is going to get some opportunities to get out there and do some of the things he does well,” Massie said.
He also hinted he’d put in a couple of packages for freshman quarterback Erik Wallace. The Florida native, a lefty, is more of an option QB.
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NOTES: The game will be broadcast on WOGR 93.3 FM. Pregame starts at 12:45 p.m. … Livingstone holds a 16-9 series lead over Bowie. … Bowie won last year’s game but later forfeited. … After today, Livingstone is home for three straight games. Lincoln visits Alumni Stadium on Sept. 26.