Football, probably as much as any sport, is about emotion.
The Apalachee High School Wildcats have showed a remarkable ability to turn things around this season after a slow start. Ironically, the slow start was in the win-loss category only as AHS actually played well in its first four games of 2011, despite not posting a victory.
Close losses to Habersham Central (three points), Salem (seven points) and Heritage (five points) were tough to accept. Even in the game against undefeated and No. 3-ranked Flowery Branch back on Sept. 9, the Wildcats played well. It’s just the Falcons are a step above most, if not all, opponents in Region 8-AAAA this season.
After the 0-4 start, AHS began to turn the corner. Wins against Madison County and Rockdale County were followed by a close defeat to Clarke Central, in a game which was not decided until late in the fourth quarter.
Two additional victories against Cedar Shoals and Winder-Barrow have since been factored into the victory total. With one game left, however, it doesn’t appear the Wildcats will be able to get into the postseason, even if they win this Friday against Loganville. Salem and Habersham Central have the head-to-head tiebreakers against AHS.
Still, to start the season 0-4 and finish 5-5 would be a major accomplishment. That would mean the Wildcats would have closed out the season going 5-1. Typically when teams finish a season winning five of six, they get into the playoffs.
You have to credit the AHS players and coaches for the strong turnaround this fall. In most scenarios, when a football team begins 0-4, a turnaround for the positive does not take place.
Sure, the team might win one or two games, but to have a chance to win five of its last six is rare.
Playing well down the stretch is something Wildcat head coach Shane Davis wanted his team to do this fall, especially since the opposite took place at the end of 2010.
This week’s game against Loganville, which will be senior night for the AHS football team, will not be easy. It’s certainly not an automatic win by any means. The Red Devils have provided matchup problems for the Wildcats in recent seasons, including 2009 when it took overtime for AHS to win — by a point.
LHS, while always a physical team, has opened up its offense more this fall. The team has a strong quarterback and will also be looking to finish the season strong. The Red Devils were knocked out of playoff contention by Habersham Central last week.
If AHS can continue to generate offense and remain on the same path defensively as in recent weeks, then a victory is certainly possible this week.
And a win would show just how much character and resolve the Wildcats have. To win five of your last six speaks volumes in high school football, especially after a slow start.
It shows why the program will always be a force to be dealt with in the playoff chase and why Davis, offensive coordinator Joel Miller and defensive coordinator Matt Sorrells, along with all the coaches and players, deserve credit for the way they have been able to rebound this season.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can send comments about this column to cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
