The South Pike and North Pike high school football teams face off in Magnolia at 7 p.m. Friday.
North Pike’s 47-37 loss at McComb last week tied the Jaguars with Florence for the last two Region 6-4A playoff spots. The Jaguars (6-3, 2-2) look to avoid any upset in a playoff race that hasn’t ended.
The Eagles’ 49-12 loss at Florence didn’t help their playoff hopes, as South Pike looks to end a three-year postseason drought.
South Pike (2-7, 1-3), in second to last place in region, isn’t completely out of the picture.
South Pike head coach John Culpepper said the Eagles can turn this situation around, considering where they started and their single district victory.
“Well, some things have got to happen for us to get in the playoffs,” he said. “We’ve had a good week of practice and we’re coming to play hard and execute the best we have all season.”
North Pike head coach Chris Smith is strictly concerned about his team.
“We’re preparing like any other week and trying to take care of ourselves and control the things you can control,” Smith said. “We’ve polished up some things and tried to get better. We’re trying to get prepared for what they do on offense and defense, and it’s a big ball game.”
The contest at quarterback will feature Eagles sophomore Bobbieal Ellzey and Jaguar senior Juwan Adams.
Adams has passed for 2,666 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.
Ellzey, a converted wide receiver, has accounted for nine rushing touchdowns and passed for just over 100 yards. Adams and Ellzey have run for more than 600 yards.
“The kids knowing each other is going to create it’s own hype but we’re trying to make sure they know the importance of the game,” Smith said. “Some of them are probably related, if they’re not related, they’ve probably been to church together.
“We want them to be prepared mentally and physically because (South Pike) is coming to play hard but they’re standing in the way of us going to the playoffs. As far as the kids we had out last week, we should be close to full strength and everyone should be back to some degree including Chandler Crawford getting close to 100 percent. “
The running back matchup will feature two seniors — North Pike’s Nakia Trotter and South Pike’s Marc Varnado. Trotter has accounted for more than 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns; Varnado has accounted more than 1,100 yards and five touchdowns.
Varnado was taken to the hospital after a head injury against Florence.
“Marc is going to be a game time decision. He’s not practicing this week,” Culpepper said. “He’ll go to the doctor earlier that Friday, and we won’t know until then if he’ll play or not.”
Culpepper has stressed growth at every position is what makes the Eagles’ a potential threat to any team. South Pike’s offensive line and receivers have experienced recent success but still have yet to score a passing touchdown.
“They (North Pike) are a very good offensive team and they’re going to going to score points,” Culpepper said. “But we’ve got to match their intensity and try to get the momentum back if it goes their way. This is a rivalry game, so we want to keep it close to the fourth quarter, but we need capitalize on the breaks and play for the win.”
Senior punter Justin Klunk and his lone snapper will look to have a better start on punting duties this week. After a bad snap on the first punt of the opening drive, Klunk’s attempt to throw the football out of the back of the endzone was later ruled down at the 2 yard line.
Culpepper said special teams and offense have a been a focus this week looking for ways to keep the Jaguars defense on the field.
“We’ve worked on long snapping all week, but field position did hurt us last week,” Culpepper said. “We feel behind in the first quarter last week, we’ll have to iron that out this week if we want to be successful.”
Eagle receivers have included seniors Jamarius Lewis, Darrion Carter junior William Carter and Roctavis Magee. Jaguar receivers include seniors Javian Jackson with 1,293 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, Jacob Gill and sophomore Dylan Adams. Juwan Adams is also handle the punting duties.
Sophomore Trent Coleman will handle kicking duties for the Jaguars, while South Pike will not kick any field goals and will always go for a two-point conversion.
South Pike’s defense will be led by senior defensive back Corey Pittman and senior linebacker Darrion Carter. Junior defensive tackle Quardarius Downs will look to anchor the line, along with senior Robert McCarty in the secondary, junior Jamarius Wells, Keshun Nimox, Brian Smith, Javosity Jones, Deldrionn Amos and Kedarius Osbey.
North Pike’s defense will be led by senior linebackers Jake Spears and Conner Travis. Sophomore Austin McCullough, Douglas Forest, Bryceon Magee, Williams Henderson, Jack Kelly, Chance Taylor, and Javian Jackson will look stop the opposing offensive attack.
