PLAYING FOR THE PLAYOFFS: Win for RLHS would clinch a postseason spot
Published 12:05 am Thursday, October 4, 2018
- A win on Friday would give Red Level their first playoff berth since 2010. Josh Dutton/Star-News
The Red Level Tigers (4-1) have a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a win Friday night on the road against Florala (1-5).
“Honestly, these first two days of practice this week have probably been our best practices this season,” Red Level head coach Kenny Skipper said. “These kids are excited and they realize what we are playing for. It’s been a long time since we have been to the playoffs.”
The Tigers haven’t made it to the playoffs since 2010.
“These kids are young, but they are beginning to understand,” Skipper said. “They are very excited and focused on making the most of this opportunity.”
Skipper said that it won’t be an easy task to knock off Florala.
“Coach (Scott) Mason does a really good job over there,” Skipper said. “(Jacob) Hammac is probably the best quarterback that we will face all year. He does a good job and can throw the ball all over the field.”
At practice this week, Skipper said the players have been very intense.
“The intensity this week has been very big,” Skipper said. “We’ve tried to be more intense at practice. If you don’t practice that way, you won’t play that way.”
Skipper said that they will have to work hard to stop the Florala offense.
“They do throw the ball a lot, but like most teams they want to run the ball first,” Skipper said. “We just have to do what we do. We aren’t going to change a lot of stuff up. We just have to play like we play like we have played all year. We have to win the turnover battle, fly to the football and be more physical than the other team.”
Skipper said the players have to keep their head in the game.
“We have to stay focused throughout the game,” Skipper said. “It’s going to be a four quarter fight and it will probably come down to who wants it more. We have to play four quarters of solid fundamental football. Both teams know what’s at stake.”
Florala holds a 35-28 record in the series and won last year’s game 67-28.
Red Level and Florala are set to begin at 7 p.m., Friday in Florala.