While the first two games of the state playoffs have been against worthy opponents, the Apalachee High School coaches and players know the challenge will likely rise to another level this Friday.
The Wildcats are hosting Griffin in a quarterfinal matchup of two 12-0 teams. The Bears were ranked No. 1 in the state in the final regular season poll and have been predicted by some to win it all.
“They are definitely good,” Davis said. “They are worthy of their ranking. They have all the tools and look the part of a state championship contender. They have good size and unbelievable speed at the skill positions.”
Griffin runs a spread attack offensively.
Defensively, Davis said this week’s foe runs to the football well.
“They are going to have a lot of great athletes on the field,” the Wildcat coach said.
AHS won a coin toss to earn the right to host this week. Davis hopes that will be an advantage for his team.
“If the game is like the ones the past two weeks, the crowd could be a factor,” the Wildcat coach said. “If you keep the game close long enough then home field advantage can be significant, especially in the playoffs.”
Students are out of school all week locally and with Thanksgiving Thursday, it remains to be seen how big of a crowd is on hand at R. Harold Harrison Stadium Friday.
“I know fans here aren’t used to football after Thanksgiving,” Davis said. “Neither are our coaches and players. It’s something special which doesn’t happen every year.”
AHS offensive coordinator Joel Miller broke down the keys for the Wildcats this Friday against the Griffin defense:
“Griffin is a great team and we will have to play our best to give ourselves a chance to win,” Miller said.
MILLER’S OFFENSIVE
KEYS VS. GRIFFIN
•Turnovers and penalties: “We stress these things every week, no matter who we are playing. We had one turnover and three penalties against Marist and we will need to be even better this week.”
•“We must be patient and trust the system. They have the best scoring defense in the state, so they will make some plays. It will be important to stay composed when they do.”
•“Passion and intensity. This is an emotional game. There were tears shed before during and after Fridays game and I don’t expect anything different this Friday. Our kids must play with emotion, heart, and pride. I hope the crowd is excited and loud, because our kids will feed off that emotion.”
WAGNER’S DEFENSIVE
KEYS VS. GRIFFIN
AHS defensive coordinator David Wagner also broke down what the Wildcats will need to do against Griffin this Friday:
“Griffin bases its offense out of a spread- option attack,” Wagner said. “ They are the fastest team on the whole that we have faced all year. Everyone that they put on the field can run. We can not hesitate on our reads. We must attack at the snap of the ball.”
“We have to tackle perfect. They have an amazing group of athletes that can all go the distance with the ball on any play. They are by far the most dangerous offense from top to bottom that we have faced.”
•Their quarterback is an amazing athlete. He can run and pass. He makes something out of nothing more than any other player I have ever seen. We have got to find a way to contain him and get him on the ground.”
•“Once again we will see some option in their offense, which puts us playing responsibility football. This makes us stay very disciplined in our assignments.”
•“Our secondary will be tested unlike they have been tested all year. They have big, strong, and fast receivers. We can not put them in a situation where they are covering wideouts for a long period of time. The defensive line has got to get pressure on their quarterback.
