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Indians primed up for rematch
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| Fort White’s Alex Gilmer (12) scrambles with the ball around a Santa Fe defender in last Friday’s Battle for the Paddle. The Indians stood victorious against the Raiders in their 27-24 win. JASON MATTHEW WALKER/Lake City Reporter |
Fort White hopes for repeat success
By BRANDON FINLEY
bfinley@lakecityreporter.com
FORT WHITE — The Fort White Indians embark on their second playof journey in as many years when they face Pensacola Catholic in an 8:30 kickoff, local time, in the Panhandle.
Coach Demetric Jackson and the Indians left Fort White High School, Thursday afternoon, following a brief pep rally on their way to Quincy, where they went through an afternoon walk-through.
“It was an exciting time this morning,” Jackson said of the team’s departure, “The guys looked sharp, and it’s a fun time to be in Fort White.”
It was a light day for the Indians, as most of the time was made up in
travel, going through only a
two-hour practice.
“We went through the unexpected stuff,” Jackson said. “We wanted to make sure we know where all the backups are supposed to be. We want to look sharp out there, and not get caught with 10 guys. We just want to be ready for anything unexpected.”
The Indians have a sense of familiarity with the Pensacola area after coming away winners in last year’s playoff game, 36-34. The Indians believe that should play to their
advantage.
“There’s a mixture of excitement and business-like attitudes,” Jackson said. “Last year, we didn’t really know what to expect, but we have a sense of knowing this time. Coming back is a big deal.”
The leadership for this team has come into effect this week as well, as many players who went on the playoff trip last season are helping the underclassmen adjust to the road trip.
“I think our seniors are taking on a leadership role,” Jackson said. They’re doing a good job of keeping our young guys with a level head.”
Playing with a level head will be one of many keys to tonight’s game. Pensacola enters with a 7-2 record after their game last week was canceled because of an unplayable field according to athletic director Richard LaBounty.
The extra bye week gave the Crusaders a week to rest up for the Indians’ balanced attack, but Jackson is also concerned about Shaun White, Alex Bast, and the Pensacola Catholic attack.
“They like to spread the ball around to a lot of receivers,” Jackson said. “They’ll throw it to a lot of guys, but if you focus too much on that they can still run with both their running back and quarterback. We can’t focus on just the pass, because they have a good balanced attack.”
The Indians were scheduled to go through their final walk-through this morning at Pensacola Catholic High School before arriving at a local church for a final pre-game meal and devotion.
From there, the Indians will head to the stadium, where they hope to find a lot of Fort White fans packing the stands.
“It’s a major factor,” Jackson said.
“It’s one of the things that have helped us all season, having had so much support from Fort White and the surrounding communities. We’re hoping they do our kids justice. Last year, we had more people than they did.”
Having fan support is something Jackson hopes will play into the final
factor.
“It may very well come down to a crucial situation where we may need a little extra support to put our kids over the top,” Jackson said.
With an undefeated home record, and only losses to 5A Escambia and Pensacola High School on the road, the Indians look to move on past the Crusaders in the first round of the 2A-playoffs.
Coach Demetric Jackson and the Indians left Fort White High School, Thursday afternoon, following a brief pep rally on their way to Quincy, where they went through an afternoon walk-through.
“It was an exciting time this morning,” Jackson said of the team’s departure, “The guys looked sharp, and it’s a fun time to be in Fort White.”
It was a light day for the Indians, as most of the time was made up in
travel, going through only a
two-hour practice.
“We went through the unexpected stuff,” Jackson said. “We wanted to make sure we know where all the backups are supposed to be. We want to look sharp out there, and not get caught with 10 guys. We just want to be ready for anything unexpected.”
The Indians have a sense of familiarity with the Pensacola area after coming away winners in last year’s playoff game, 36-34. The Indians believe that should play to their
advantage.
“There’s a mixture of excitement and business-like attitudes,” Jackson said. “Last year, we didn’t really know what to expect, but we have a sense of knowing this time. Coming back is a big deal.”
The leadership for this team has come into effect this week as well, as many players who went on the playoff trip last season are helping the underclassmen adjust to the road trip.
“I think our seniors are taking on a leadership role,” Jackson said. They’re doing a good job of keeping our young guys with a level head.”
Playing with a level head will be one of many keys to tonight’s game. Pensacola enters with a 7-2 record after their game last week was canceled because of an unplayable field according to athletic director Richard LaBounty.
The extra bye week gave the Crusaders a week to rest up for the Indians’ balanced attack, but Jackson is also concerned about Shaun White, Alex Bast, and the Pensacola Catholic attack.
“They like to spread the ball around to a lot of receivers,” Jackson said. “They’ll throw it to a lot of guys, but if you focus too much on that they can still run with both their running back and quarterback. We can’t focus on just the pass, because they have a good balanced attack.”
The Indians were scheduled to go through their final walk-through this morning at Pensacola Catholic High School before arriving at a local church for a final pre-game meal and devotion.
From there, the Indians will head to the stadium, where they hope to find a lot of Fort White fans packing the stands.
“It’s a major factor,” Jackson said.
“It’s one of the things that have helped us all season, having had so much support from Fort White and the surrounding communities. We’re hoping they do our kids justice. Last year, we had more people than they did.”
Having fan support is something Jackson hopes will play into the final
factor.
“It may very well come down to a crucial situation where we may need a little extra support to put our kids over the top,” Jackson said.
With an undefeated home record, and only losses to 5A Escambia and Pensacola High School on the road, the Indians look to move on past the Crusaders in the first round of the 2A-playoffs.
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| Final tally for Tigers | Columbia hoops falls to P.K. Yonge |
