An early season clash on the gridiron between Apalachee and Clarke Central could have long-range impact on the Region 8-AAAA race.
After an off week, the Wildcats will be back in action in a big way this Friday when they host the Gladiators, currently ranked No. 8 in the state for Class AAAA teams. AHS coach Shane Davis knows this game will be tough and knows how much a victory would mean for both schools.
“After Friday, someone is going to be in real good position,” the coach said. “They’ve already beat the No. 1 team from last year (Loganville) and now have a chance at the No. 3 team. Head-to-head matchups mean so much. Last season Clarke and Loganville were both 9-1 (in the region) but since Loganville won the game between them, they won the region.”
Davis said he took somewhat of a different approach during the bye week. The AHS coaches scaled back during practice to give players a chance to heal up.
“It was a different approach from what we’ve done in the past,” the coach said. “We had a few guys banged up and we need to get well. We spent a lot of time on conditioning.”
Preparing for Clarke Central is a tough task, the Wildcat coach said, primarily because they run so many formations on offense.
“You could spend an entire week trying to cover everything they do,” Davis said.
The Gladiators will use everything from a two tight end set with an I formation to a shotgun with no backs.
Defensively, Clarke Central uses a three-man front although Davis said the Gladiators will walk an outside lineback up for the appearance of a four-man front.
“This is going to be a big one,” Davis said. “They are ranked in the state and are simply a good team. They are as well coached as anyone we will play. We will have to be disciplined in what we do and be patient. They aren’t going to give us anything.”
While the AHS coach knows this is just one of 10 region games, he noted each week they “get bigger and bigger.”
“We have to be ready to play every week, no matter who the opponent is,” Davis said. “We you don’t, you put yourself at a disadvantage when you start looking at the region standings.”
