With a 3-3 record and four games left to be played in the 2008 season, the Hillbillies need some wins if they want to qualify for the Class A playoffs for the first time in three years.
The quest to get those wins starts on Friday night as Man is scheduled to play at Gilbert (3-4). Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Gilbert High School's Lowell Phipps Field.
The Billies then play at 2A Wyoming East, host Buffalo and close out the season on Nov. 7 at home against Iaeger.
It's a critical stretch for Man.
"It's a big game for us because we're at the point now where we have to win all of ours to stay in the playoff hunt," Man coach Harvey Arms said. "I'm sure that they are in the same situation. It's two teams who are battling to stay in the playoff race. We'll have to play as hard as we can play and curtail some of the mistakes."
Man might be able to get into the playoffs with a break-even 5-5 record because of the Billies' strength of schedule.
However, Arms doesn't want to think about that.
He wants Man to win out.
"I'm not very good at point predicting," Arms said of the WVSSAC's Computer Ratings. "I don't really know everyone else's schedules. The safe thing to try to do is to win them out. I think we'll be in good shape if we can win all four."
Arms said he still expects a tough game with the Lions, despite the fact Gilbert lost many key players from last year's squad.
"Of course, they are not as strong as they were last year because they lost 13 or 14 seniors," Arms said. "They were all good players and they had some excellent talent with Quinn Miller and all of those kids. When you lose that many players at once it's hard to come back in the next year and be even as close as you had been. But they are still a good team and they are playing hard and competing. It will be a tough game for us."
Man and Gilbert have had a good series since the two teams started playing each other again this decade.
Gilbert, with a stacked, senior-led team last year, beat Man, 28-27. The Lions, however, were hit hard due to graduation and have struggled this fall. Gilbert was blanked 33-0 last week at Fort Chiswell (Va.).
"We've enjoyed the series," Arms said. "We've played four times and it's 2-2. It's turning into a close community type of rival game. We've enjoyed playing them."
The Billies are coming off last week's 21-3 loss at Double-A No. 2-ranked and unbeaten Chapmanville.
Man seemed to move the ball well on the ground but couldn't get the big play.
"I thought that we played well overall," Arms said. "There were some turning points of the game where we had the opportunity to make the big play but did didn't make. That ended up being the difference in the game."
Man's highlight was when kicker Derrick Ernest - a recent transfer from North Carolina - booted a 36-yard, first-quarter field goal to give the Billies a 3-0 lead.
"It was (impressive) especially for us because it's been a long while since we've had anyone to even attempt one from that range, let alone to make it," Arms said. "He had plenty of room to spare. We're glad that he's here. His mother is a graduate of Man High School and they moved back here."
The Billies were held to 138 yards rushing on 44 carries last week at Chapmanville. Khris Tolliver had 91 yards on 17 attempts. Michael Lomax had 13 rushes for 49 yards.
Quarterback Cory Spence was just 1-of-13 passing for 6 yards.
Man will look to improve on those numbers against the Lions.
Post a Comment
