Two steps forward and one step back has proven to become an insurmountable leap for the 0-6 Porters Chapel Academy football team, who can’t stay healthy long enough to gain any momentum. The injury-plagued Eagles are just hanging on for the rest of the season.

The team has been down as many as 11 starters at one point in the season. Friday night, the Eagles were able to have a small bounce back with only eight starters out, but after more injuries that night, they could be down even more this coming week when they take on undefeated Prentiss Christian (6-0) on the road.

“It’s been like that all year,” sophomore Jake Arais said. “We’ve just got to come in ready to work and prepare to go on to the next game. Every game is important.”

Head coach Blake Purvis said the team is dealing with the tough breaks by fighting back and battling week in and out, even with the roster cut in half. He said it’s hard to gauge players’ attitudes immediately after a loss, but it will show in practice.

“I expect good attitudes. That’s what they’ve had. They’re playing the cards that are dealt to them,” Purvis siad. “I think they’re trying to keep moving forward and understand the process. We’re a young team, and our brighter days are ahead of us.”

Arias said the injuries have been tough to handle, but he remains optimistic.

“It’s hard. It’s just hard knowing that you’ve got eight guys who are really good players (out), and it’s just hard shuffling guys around. But our spirits are high. We just look forward to the next game,” Arias said. “The next game is always the most important game.”

In addition to learning new positions in the constant shuffle the Eagles are undergoing, Arias said the main area they’ll work on this week is the passing game. It’s something they’ve been trying to improve all season with an already strong defense in place.

“We’re going to try to work on our passing game because we need our passing game to open up our run game,” Arias said. “We’re going to work on the line, and we’re just going to come ready to work on everything.”

Arias also appealed to PCA’s fans not to give up on the team. Although the season hasn’t gone well, he said it’s still important to have the crowd behind the team. PCA has one home game left, on Oct. 14 against Benton Academy. It also has road games at Prentiss Christian, Wilkinson Christian, and Amite School Center.

“Just come out ready to support us,” Arias said. “Either on the road or home, wherever we go it’s going to be an important game.”