After playing two tough opponents from larger classifications, Pope was able to get back-to-back wins against Etowah and Northview to help thrust it into this Friday’s competition against Cambridge.

With the 45-27 victory over Northview, coach Matt Kemper is glad to play teams within the same class as his own.

“Its good to play back in our division. Playing the big teams we had to be near perfect to compete,” Kemper said.

In the first two games of their season, the Greyhounds played Class AAAAAA Marietta and Wheeler in games that provided too big a challenge too early in the season for Kemper’s young squad.

Pope managed to put up only seven points combined in those two matchups.

In Week 3, the Greyhounds (2-1) began to put it together in a win over Etowah, another Class AAAAAA team, in a 20-17 victory in overtime.

“The defense played extremely well against Etowah and the offense played well in (against Northview),” Kemper said.

Pope found its running game over the last two games with the combination of Ronald Woods and Itabari Mason gaining 360 yards on the ground. Much of the same can be expected tonight when Woods (287 yards) and Mason (172 yards) face off against the Bears.

Cambridge (0-3) is in its first season as a varsity team as the school just opened in August.

Led by head coach Craig Bennett, Cambridge has struggled in losses to Riverwood, South Forsyth and Osborne as the Bears have been shut out twice this season and have given up 113 points.

After the game against Cambridge, the Greyhounds will begin their subregion schedule, beginning with Osborne, whose only win this season came from Cambridge, last week.

“The first few games were high quality opponents but we have no serious injuries so we’re healthy going into region play,” Kemper said.