With three consecutive wins, the Apalachee High School football team has fought its way back into playoff contention.
The Wildcats will try to get past a big hurdle this Friday when they host Heritage. Kickoff at R. Harold Harrison Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.
“They are just so big and physical,” AHS coach Shane Davis said. “They are well coached and have been for a while. They have so many good athletes and are an extremely physical group. The last three seasons they have been right there in the mix.”
Even during the Wildcats’ undefeated regular season of 2009, Davis noted Heritage played AHS to within a point.
“Even in 2009 we felt they were closing in,” Davis said. “They won region last year with only one loss. It is a program that has steadily improved.”
The Patriots, coached by Chad Frazier, have two region losses, a 42-14 setback to Gainesville and a 35-27 loss to Flowery Branch, in a game where Heritage led 27-6 at one point. The Patriots defeated Clarke Central in overtime 23-20.
“This is a huge game for us and Heritage,” said AHS offensive coordinator Joel Miller. “Heritage has locked up at least a tie for a playoff spot, but they are for sure in with a win over us. Defensively they are very good, no doubt one of the best we have played all year.”
The Wildcats will need to excel in all three phases Friday night, coaches said.
“We’ll have to be good in all three because they are going to be,” Davis said. “They have a great kicker and he makes you drive the length of the field. Offensively, they are going to show multiple looks with everything from two tight ends to the power I to the spread with an empty backfield. We have to make sure we line up correctly and be defensively sound. We also have to be patient on offense. They will stop us at times, but we have to keep working and look for our openings.”
AHS defensive coordinator has been busy looking for ways to slow down Heritage. The Wildcats are fresh off a 20-0 win against Salem last week.
“Heritage is always a very tough game,” Sorrells said. “They are very sound at every position. They have shown a variety of different looks this year. All 11 of our guys will have to be ready mentally and physically on each play.”
In attacking the Patriot defense, Miller said sustaining drives and controlling the clock are two important keys for AHS.
“We have to find a way to move the chains and get first downs,” Miller said. “I anticipate a very physical game with neither team backing down. We must take care of the football and take advantage of any scoring opportunities we get, something we were not able to do Friday vs Salem. Starting out the way we did going 0-3 in region play, we could not possibly have asked for a better situation than we are in now: win out and we are at least tied and have a chance at the playoffs. So they are all playoff games for us here on out.”
With two games remaining, it appears Gainesville and Flowery Branch will be the top two (in some order) with Heritage, Clarke Central and Apalachee still in contention for the final two spots. The Wildcats will need to defeat Heritage and then Winder-Barrow in the regular season finale to have a chance at the postseason.
