Granted, Friday’s 37-22 loss to Loganville hurt.
But Madison County’s playoff hopes are still alive and well, though a five-game winning streak is now over.
The Raiders’ two preseason goals are to have a winning record and qualify for the state playoffs, and both objectives are still attainable.
But Madison County (5-2) needs a win Friday at Heritage to get back on track.
“Last week, we were dealing with a group that was sky-high over a big win … This week, we’re hurting, but we’ve got to quit licking wounds,” coach Randell Owens said.
Madison County seeks its ever first victory over Heritage.
The schools have met only three times. The Patriots won 7-0 last year.
Heritage (1-5) has been victimized by some close losses this year, dropping four games by a touchdown or less. But the Patriots did beat Rockdale County (14-10), which handled Madison County 28-6 in the Raiders’ season-opener.
Owens, who coached at Heritage from 2001-2003, says to not pay too much attention to Heritage’s 1-5 record.
“They’re very athletic,” Owens said. “Our kids are going to have to not look at the record but look at what you’re seeing on the film and the athletes that you have to lineup and compete against.”
Heritage also benefits from having had an off week this past Friday. The Patriots haven’t played since a 35-24 loss to Loganville Oct. 2.
“They’ve got two weeks to get ready to focus on us … We’ve got three days,” Owens said.
Madison County is still tied with Clarke Central for second place in the region, while Apalachee is first. So the Raiders are still in position to have a winning season and claim a playoff spot, but they need a victory Friday to keep pace.
“It’s still out in front of us,” Owens said. “With three games to go, we’ve still got an opportunity for a winning season and an opportunity to get to the state playoffs. (But) we don’t have a lot of cushion. We don’t have a lot of slack.”
Meanwhile, Madison County preps for one of its longest road trips of the year. The bus ride to Conyers is approximately an hour and 45 minutes.
Playing an away game in high school football is never easy, Owens said, because of “the hassle of traveling.”
“At the high school level, it’s more like being a daddy tying to get everything packed in a mini-van to go to the beach for a week,” he said. “You hope you don’t forget something. It’s challenging.”
