With only two games left in the season, district foes South Pike and Florence battled for fourth place in the division. South Pike lost 49-12 and is one game out of the last playoff spot going into the final week of the regular season.
The Florence Eagles earned their second district win of the season. Both teams beat Richland in district competition.
South Pike head coach John Culpepper wanted the his team to start better against Florence.
“We put ourselves in a hole early,” Culpepper said. “We fumbled on the punt, and never could seem to get any momentum going. We had unfavorable field position the whole first half.”
South Pike trailed at halftime 28-6.
Culpepper saw his team fighting for a chance to win despite deficit.
“They have given up a lot up points and we felt we could come back on them,” Culpepper said of Florence. “We came back on our opening drive and executed like we’re capable of doing but when we kick back off to them, they take the next snap for a long touchdown run. That was the play that kind of broke our backs.”
South Pike will now prepare for the last district game of the season at home against cross county rival North Pike at 7 p.m. Friday.
North Pike lost at McComb 47-37 Friday, and is now tied with Florence at 2-2 in district action.
“They are our rivals, and things will have to go our way for us to see the playoffs but funny things happen,” Culpepper said of North Pike. “So we’re going to put a gameplan together and get ready to play.
Along with a few players, senior running back Marc Varnado left in the game in the second half after a big hit.
“Marc was dinged up, and they took him to hospital to get him checked out to make sure he’s alright,” Culpepper said. “I think the rest are just bumps and bruises, so we should be fine by Friday.”
