Despite last week’s disappointing loss to Heritage, the playoffs remain a strong possibility for the Apalachee High School Wildcats.
Coach Shane Davis’ team is now 5-3 overall and will host Madison County in an important Region 8-AAAA contest this week. While the Red Raiders enter the game at 2-6, Davis said his team cannot overlook them.
“They have been competitive against some teams who are competing for the postseason,” the Apalachee coach said. “They lost to Loganville late and played Heritage to a 7-0 game. Madison County has played well lately by simplifying their offense.”
The Wildcat defense will look to keep the team’s option in check.
“Their quarterback also has the ability to run the spread so we have to be prepared for that,” Davis said.
Despite Apalachee preparing for its eighth game of the season, Davis said the team is overall healthy.
“We don’t have anything major,” the coach said concerning his team’s injury report. “Nothing but our pride is hurt after last week.”
As far as the postseason is concerned, if Apalachee wins out the worst it could finish in the region standings is third.
Even a loss in the final two contests would not officially eliminate the Wildcats, who could still get in the playoffs with some help.
“The best thing for us would be to simply win the two games,” Davis said.
Madison county head coach Randall Owens said Apalachee will be a tall order for his squad Friday night.
“They’re very athletic,” Owens said. “They are also very physical. They have good speed.”
The Red Raider coach said while the Wildcats run mainly from the Wing-T, once they “open it up and go to the spread when they’re behind, they move the ball fairly well.”
