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Home playoff positioning on the line
By Will Smith
The Weekly Post
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Published October 9, 2008
RAINSVILLE—Despite a 43-42 loss to Guntersville in double-overtime last week, the Bears remain in the hunt for a prime playoff position in Class 4A, Region 7.
Plainview, currently with a 3-1 record against region opponents, sits alone in fourth place, trailing three undefeated Region 7 opponents—No. 5 North Jackson, No. 6 Fairview and Guntersville, which all are 4-0.
However, one loss in the standings doesn't kill Plainview's hopes of a region championship.
"We've won the region before with one loss," said Bears head coach Dale Pruitt, who led Plainview to a title in 2000 despite a loss in region play. "I think last week (against Guntersville), our players knew how big the game was and played hard. If we want to host, we need to win this week."
Tomorrow night, which also features a game between North Jackson and Guntersville, will shake up the top of the Region 7 standings considerably. Similar to their last few games, Plainview will again be tested tomorrow night at home with a matchup against Fairview, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. With a win over the Aggies, Plainview could boost themselves into a three-way tie for second place and one step closer to staying home for the opening round of the post-season. Fairview, which is averaging 48 points per game, will arguably present the Bears their toughest challenge so far this year—at least in league play, anyway.
"Fairview is a very good team, especially offensively," said Pruitt. "They have a great quarterback and a running back that can play. They are a very potent football team."
The Aggies’ offense is led by junior quarterback Trett Hardman, a 2007 First Team All-State selection that has already compiled over 2,000 yards through the air this season. The junior, who has made official collegiate visits to the Alabama, Clemson and UAB, has 20 touchdown passes through six games. Fairview, which throws the ball almost 40 times each contest, runs the spread offense, commonly distributing the ball to as many as eight different receivers every week.
Senior running back Josh Millwood, who gets limited carries because of the passing game, still averages over 100 yards each game on the ground in the Aggies backfield. Doubling as a kick returner, Millwood tallied over 400 all-purpose yards against DAR in Week 4.
Defensively, Fairview is allowing 20.3 points per game.
Pisgah at Sylvania
Following a loss to Susan Moore on the road last week, the Rams now find themselves 3-1 in 3A, Region 6 and locked in a three-way tie for second place with Pisgah and Sardis. Sylvania, who defeated Sardis earlier in the season, will face Pisgah at home tomorrow. A win against the Eagles will put the Rams on the inside track toward a home playoff berth in Region 6.
"Right now, it's for second place," said Rams head coach Alan Clayton. "It's as big as you can get right now because it's our next game and because it has huge region implications. I think our players realize the importance."
A win for Pisgah, who has yet to face Sardis this season, will put the Eagles in very good position heading into their final two weeks of region play. Although they fell to the Rams in a 45-13 decision last season, Pisgah will likely be a more formidable opponent when the two squads meet tomorrow night in Sylvania.
"It's going to be really tough," said Eagles head coach Terry Kenimer. "They were too physical for us last year. We're going to have to take advantage of every vulnerability they have."
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