The Parklane Pioneers enter Friday night’s regular-season finale against Jackson Prep as a team playing for pride.
The Pioneers enter the game 6-4 overall, 4-2 in the MAIS South AAA. The Pioneers had their playoff hopes dashed in a loss to Lamar School last week.
“Our biggest objective this week is how we play as individuals,” Parklane head coach Mike Powell said. “Last week against against Lamar, I felt like we didn’t play up to our potential. This week will be a test of our character and how we play the game.”
Powell said his team faces a huge test against Prep, ranked No. 2 in the in the Associated Press MAIS poll behind Jackson Academy. The Patriots are 9-2 overall and 3-0 in South AAA.
“Prep will be like they always are,” Powell said. “They will come out with great intensity and rarely play out of position.”
Prep has a total of 91 players on its roster.
Prep’s 6-foot, 155-pound junior quarterback Gene Wood has completed 77 of 162 passing attempts for 1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has thrown just two interceptions.
Behind Wood at running back is 5-8, 175-pound running back Ian McGraw. He has 124 carries for 776 yards and 14 touchdowns. McGraw also sees playing time at linebacker.
Prep’s receiving corps consists of senior Zach Williams and junior Parker Caracci. Williams has 22 catches for 452 yards and five touchdowns, while Caracci has 21 catches for 341 yards and three touchdowns.
Prep players to watch for defensively include junior Trace Lovertich, the team’s leading tackler, as well as senior Cade Hood and sophomore Kaleb Lovertich. Trace also sees time at running back. He averages 11.6 tackles per game and has 116 total tackles on the season. Hood and Kaleb Lovertich also play wide receiver.
As a team Prep averages 338 total yards offensively, including 213 yards rushing and 125 passing.
Ten of Parklane’s 13 seniors are starters.
On the offensive side of the ball, Parklane seniors include quarterback Brady Lea, running back Dan Gill, center Jordan Hess, receiver Cole Nunnery, tight end Jacob Shepherd and offensive linemen Wes Wroten, Tanner Whittington and M.J. Stillman.
Parklane defensive seniors are lineman Artemus Wesley, linebacker Walt Aldridge, cornerback Logan Morel, defensive back Levi Dixon and kicker Zak McDaniel.
Powell said he is proud of his team for the effort this season.
“I really thought we played some really good football games throughout the year,” Powell said. “We had a pretty tough defeat against Presbyterian Christian, which put our backs against the wall. There is no margin of error if you want to make it to the playoffs. It is extremely tough, but that is just the type of format we are in.”
He said his team will be ready for the task.
“We are not going in and running a bunch of gimmick plays,” Powell said. “We have just got to execute and play well on special teams. Prep is a solid football team.”
