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The playoffs are now out of reach for the Apalachee High School football team for 2011. The Wildcats will now have to play for pride.

Ironically, based on how well the team has performed in the past few seasons, it’s something AHS should be uniquely qualified to do.

The Wildcats host Cedar Shoals Friday for Homecoming and will look to close out the final three games of 2011 season on a strong note. AHS coach Shane Davis said he believes his players will have the right mental attitude for the contest. [Full Story »] 

The fortunes have turned in the last couple of weeks for the Apalachee High School football team.

However, Wildcat head coach Shane Davis knows a mountain of a challenge awaits this Friday.

AHS will host Clarke Central Friday at 7:30 p.m. as the Wildcats look to keep their postseason hopes alive against the defending Region 8-AAAA champion. [Full Story »] 

Shane Davis probably felt like a weight had been removed from his shoulders as the final moments of Friday’s 45-9 win against Madison County went by.

The Wildcats, who had been close to victory more than once this fall, finally were able to seal the deal and put one in the victory column.

“It felt good,” Davis said. “We have continued to work hard and it was nice to have the outcome go in our favor.” [Full Story »] 

The Apalachee High School coaching staff has been working overtime this week in an effort to be prepared for Friday’s opponent.

The Madison County Red Raiders — probably more so than any team in 8-AAAA — will use a variety of offensive formations, many times changing directions during a game. That causes long hours of film study for opposing coaching, AHS included.

“They always seem to put quality skill players on the field,” said Wildcat coach Shane Davis. “Coach (Randall) Owens always does a good job with them. In the first two games this year they used a traditional Wing-T offense. They have since used the spread, a two tight end set and some ‘Wildcat’ formations. You have to be prepared for a lot and even be ready to make adjustments during a game.” [Full Story »] 

Shane Davis has been in the coaching profession long enough to know that almost all programs have to endure some bumps in the road. It’s just the nature of the business.

Yet, Davis is actually facing it for the first time as a head coach and the coach said earlier this week he only had to go through it once as an assistant. Still, it doesn’t make it any easier.

“It’s not any fun,” Davis said of the Wildcats’ 0-3 start in 2011. “You think about all the hard work the kids put in during the offseason and you hate for them to be going through this. However, we can feel sorry for ourselves or go back to work. There have been a lot of teams in the position we are in now and they were able to bounce back and we can too. We have to remember this feeling and work to make sure we don’t go through it again.” [Full Story »] 

With his team’s playoff hopes perhaps hanging in the balance, Apalachee High School football coach Shane Davis will prepare his squad for another test this Friday when the Wildcats venture to Salem High School in Conyers.

AHS (0-2 overall, 0-2 in Region 8-AAAA) is coming off a 42-20 setback to Flowery Branch last week although Davis felt his team put forth a better effort than it did in the opening game against Habersham Central. Now that same effort will be needed against Salem (1-2), who lost in the final minute to Habersham Central last Friday 43-39.

“They are a very athletic team,” Davis said. “They have a couple of running backs who have speed and their fullback is a strong runner. Their quarterback can be dangerous with the ability he’s shown to this point in the season.”

In need of a win, Davis knows this Friday could end his team’s playoff chances without a victory. [Full Story »]