GREENBRIER The Randy Tribble era begins tonight in Greenbrier as the Panthers host the Beebe Badgers in nonconference action.
The matchup will also be a clash of styles between Greenbrier's new spread attack and Beebe's Diamond-T ground game.
Tonight's opener will be a tough test for the Panthers. Beebe, coached by John Shannon, was picked to finish second in the 5A-Southeast in a coaches' poll. The Badgers went 8-3 last season, losing in the playoffs to eventual state champion Greenwood. Beebe dominated a preseason scrimmage against Searcy, and Tribble said his defense must be physical and disciplined to slow down Beebe's running attack.
"It starts with being physical with your front four because if they get knocked back into the linebackers you don't have a chance," Tribble said. "They've got to be real physical and play real good technique on (Beebe's) offensive line," Tribble added. "If Beebe down blocks and the d-lineman just runs upfield, there's going to be a big seam. They've got to read those blocks. The linebackers have got to feed off the blocks real good. It's a combination of being really physical and using good technique."
On offense, Tribble has installed a new spread offense based on the system pioneered by Tony Franklin, offensive coordinator at Auburn University. The offense, which Tribble ran when he was the head coach for Harding University, employs quick, short passes and multiple screen plays.
"I think you'll see a short passing game," Tribble said. "We won't throw the ball deep downfield a whole lot. We're going to mix in the run and screen games, too."
Tribble added that however Beebe's defense matches up to Greenbrier's offense will dictate some of what the Panthers try to do.
"We want to take what they give us," Tribble said. "I think because of the way they play it'll be the short passing game, but we're going to try to keep a good tempo and keep it moving."
Tribble said the focus of the Panther's practices have been split between working on fundamentals and preparing for Beebe since Greenbrier took part in a jamboree scrimmage against Malvern and Pulaski Academy on Aug. 26.
"We've tried to do a good balance of working on fundamentals, things we thought we were weak at then working on scheme," Tribble said. "Definitely, fundamentals, we can be better at. Defensively, we worked fundamentals, but then we spent a lot of time on Beebe too. Offensively, we're just trying to improve on executing."
With the season fast approaching, Tribble said his players and the entire community of Greenbrier for that matter, are excited.
"That first game with a lot of two-a-days and summer workouts you're ready to play somebody else," Tribble said with a laugh. "We've had good preparations, the best we could with the rainy weather the last few days. I think [the players are] really excited and we want to go out and see what we can do.
"Everybody I talk to seems pretty excited and I think the community is somewhat excited. I hope we can go out there and represent them well."
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Don Jones Stadium.
