PREP FOOTBALL: Ballard ‘excited’ to host Covenant

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of stories previewing Friday night’s prep football playoff matchups. Today: ICSGA-2A

The game’s finally here.

That rematch Ballard Christian’s players have been looking forward to ever since Oct. 2, but weren’t supposed to talk about.

Well, they can talk about it now.

“I think they may be too excited,” Ballard coach Buddy Hammock said. “They’re really motivated. I’ve got kids that are stepping up and trying to lead in some cases that I haven’t heard much from all year.”

That’s what you get when the road to the finals leads smack through the only team that’s beaten you this season.

After a 66-38 road thrashing about a month ago, the Eagles welcome Covenant Christian into Sluder Field on Friday night with a better idea of what they’re up against.

And a better idea of how to beat it.

“Their overall team speed is probably better than anybody in our league,” Hammock said. “They run very well, so we’ll probably play four or five down linemen to try and slow down their running, try to force them into a passing gameplan a little bit.

“They don’t have to punt very much. They’re kind of like us.”

Ballard was missing two key cogs on the front line the first time around — Daniel Lane and Morgan Bryce — and Lane could be missing this week as well.

Hammock said his senior lineman is recovering from bruised sternum that he suffered in last week’s win over North Georgia Christian, one that sent him to the hospital after the game for precautionary reasons.

Escambia at Springwood
Ronnie Sikes has enacted many changes in his first year coaching the Wildcats.

The most significant being football in November.

“One of the kids said, ‘Coach, we’re usually turning in our stuff by now,’” Sikes said. “Just the fact that they’re gonna be playing in November is big for these guys.”

Not only that, but it will be the first time since 2001 that Springwood has had a playoff game in front of its home crowd.

Forgive Sikes if he didn’t exactly see this coming in May.

“When I first took the job here, it did look a little lean,” Sikes said. “A couple transfers have had a little to do with it, but this group is undersized, young and they just play hard every game. They play with a lot of heart and a lot of guts, and that overcomes a lot of things.”

While none of Springwood’s players are well-versed on the playoffs, their coach has an 18-15 postseason record.

“We’re just preparing for another game,” Sikes said. “I don’t want to put any more added pressure on them.”

Lanett at Ider
The Hornets’ 9-1 record and region championship came as a bit of a surprise this year because it came over traditional Class 2A power Fyffe.

What makes this season downright shocking is the fact that Ider won nine combined games over the past three years, hadn’t made the playoffs since 1998 and is in position to win 10 games for the first time since 1980.

Lanett coach Clifford Story, whose team travels to face the Hornets on Friday, said Ider’s run has been no accident.

“If you’ve been struggling for awhile, you’re eventually gonna get that breakthrough year,” Story said. “This is an opportunity for them to make history, for them to be that benchmark for future teams.”

The Panthers’ job is to not let that happen.

Lanett itself has been riding a hot streak as of late, winning four in a row to end the season, giving up only 8.5 points per game in the process and vaulting the Panthers into their fifth straight playoff appearance.

Heading into his first playoff game as a head coach, Story said it’s been a little difficult for him to maintain composure at practice this week.

“If you don’t go to the prom, you can’t expect to get a dance,” Story said. “I mean, I’m always outspoken at practice, but (Monday) I was running around a lot more than I had been doing. I’m excited for the opportunity.”

| 737-2568