Us
Print
E-mail
Rate
Indians victory could become Taylor-made
 |
| JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City ReporterFort White’s Jordan Dewhirts (16) runs past a Cowboy’s defensive player in the Indians’ only loss. JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter |
Fort White looks to clinch playoff berth with victory.
By BRANDON FINLEY
bfinley@lakecityreporter.com
FORT WHITE — Throw out the records tonight when the Fort White Indians host the Taylor County Bulldogs for a shot at the district 2-2A runner-up spot, and a shot at the class 2A playoffs.
The Indians enter the 7:30 game at 7-1 with the only loss coming against district foe Madison County.
“We don’t look at records,” Coach Jackson said after Thursday’s practice.
“We don’t play the same teams, and part of that record could be injuries. We preach districts, and right now the only record that matters is that we’re both 1-1 in the district.”
For the Bulldogs, the season hasn’t been quite as much of a success entering at 3-5, but both teams defeated Dixie County making this game the pivotal matchup for a playoff birth.
Fort White knows that a 7-1 record doesn’t do much for them as far as a playoff guarantee. They know first hand that one can win a playoff birth without a winning record as they did last year, and to build off that success this game becomes a must win.
The Indians have prepared hard this week, even practicing well into the dark on what has become known as “Bloody Tuesday” through the rain.
“The guys had a good week,” said Jackson. “It all comes down to execution on Friday night, and who plays hard. They have a good running back, a mobile quarterback, and it should be a good matchup for homecoming. It will be a big opponent.”
The Bulldogs returned 17 seniors from last years team, and the Indians must focus on shutting down the
running game led by Bryckoski Jackson, a four-year fixture for the Bulldogs.
“He’s a really good running back, more of a mobile back,” Jackson said.
“He’s a big bruiser, and we’re not going to bring him down with just arm tackles. You have to be careful with him, because he’s one of those runners that can take it the distance anytime he touches it. He broke a couple big runs on us last year.”
After a 42-33 victory last season, the Bulldogs will be looking for some revenge, and Jackson knows all too well that Taylor will give Fort White its best effort.
One thing the Indians do have playing in their favor though is home-field advantage, and that’s something that Jackson hopes plays into his team’s favor following last night’s “Indian uprising.”
“I’m hoping it plays somewhat of a factor,” Jackson said. “You know, we’ve played five road games including the kickoff classic. We also are coming off of a loss in our last home game, and I’m hoping that should give us some sort of motivation. It will also be the seniors last game here, and it’s huge for them to play great.”
Two years ago the Indians came into the game with the same 7-1 record, and missed out on the playoffs. That’s something the Indians don’t want to send their seniors out on.
“This was a great group of guys that I’ve got the pleasure of coaching for two years,” Jackson said. “Some of them I’ve had since they were sophomores, and with Xavier (Blake), I’ve been coaching him for four years. They work hard on and off the field, and I hope to send them out on a positive note.”
A win and the Indians will travel to play Pensacola Catholic in the playoffs.
The Indians enter the 7:30 game at 7-1 with the only loss coming against district foe Madison County.
“We don’t look at records,” Coach Jackson said after Thursday’s practice.
“We don’t play the same teams, and part of that record could be injuries. We preach districts, and right now the only record that matters is that we’re both 1-1 in the district.”
For the Bulldogs, the season hasn’t been quite as much of a success entering at 3-5, but both teams defeated Dixie County making this game the pivotal matchup for a playoff birth.
Fort White knows that a 7-1 record doesn’t do much for them as far as a playoff guarantee. They know first hand that one can win a playoff birth without a winning record as they did last year, and to build off that success this game becomes a must win.
The Indians have prepared hard this week, even practicing well into the dark on what has become known as “Bloody Tuesday” through the rain.
“The guys had a good week,” said Jackson. “It all comes down to execution on Friday night, and who plays hard. They have a good running back, a mobile quarterback, and it should be a good matchup for homecoming. It will be a big opponent.”
The Bulldogs returned 17 seniors from last years team, and the Indians must focus on shutting down the
running game led by Bryckoski Jackson, a four-year fixture for the Bulldogs.
“He’s a really good running back, more of a mobile back,” Jackson said.
“He’s a big bruiser, and we’re not going to bring him down with just arm tackles. You have to be careful with him, because he’s one of those runners that can take it the distance anytime he touches it. He broke a couple big runs on us last year.”
After a 42-33 victory last season, the Bulldogs will be looking for some revenge, and Jackson knows all too well that Taylor will give Fort White its best effort.
One thing the Indians do have playing in their favor though is home-field advantage, and that’s something that Jackson hopes plays into his team’s favor following last night’s “Indian uprising.”
“I’m hoping it plays somewhat of a factor,” Jackson said. “You know, we’ve played five road games including the kickoff classic. We also are coming off of a loss in our last home game, and I’m hoping that should give us some sort of motivation. It will also be the seniors last game here, and it’s huge for them to play great.”
Two years ago the Indians came into the game with the same 7-1 record, and missed out on the playoffs. That’s something the Indians don’t want to send their seniors out on.
“This was a great group of guys that I’ve got the pleasure of coaching for two years,” Jackson said. “Some of them I’ve had since they were sophomores, and with Xavier (Blake), I’ve been coaching him for four years. They work hard on and off the field, and I hope to send them out on a positive note.”
A win and the Indians will travel to play Pensacola Catholic in the playoffs.
 |
 |
|
| Lady Indians fall in playoffs | Healing for homecoming |
Fort White Rocks wrote on Nov 7, 2008 11:33 AM: