The McComb Tigers and Forest Hill Rebels have taken different routes to their final regular-season game Friday in Jackson.
The Rebels started the season 4-0 and have won two of their last five, while the Tigers didn’t win until October, but have won three of their last four in a scramble for a playoff spot.
With a win McComb will assure itself a spot in next week’s playoffs with a 7-point-or-more win they’ll be the No. 3 seed in District 6-4A.
“We were young and got better,” McComb head coach Randy Martin said. “We’re going to have a tough row to hoe. We definitely deserve the spot if it works out like that.”
Forest Hill won’t be a pushover to get that win, though. The Rebels played Lawrence County — the closest contest of any team in the district — while they lost at home to Brookhaven, turning the ball over five times yet staying in it until the end.
McComb saw what the Rebels were capable of last year, as receiver Dylan Davis racked up 143 yards on eight receptions, including a touchdown in the regular-season finale at C.C. Moore Stadium.
No one else had more than two receptions for the Rebels; that won’t be the same on Friday.
Davis checks in at 6-foot-1, tight end Emmanuel Jeffries is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, while their third option outside is Patrick Gray.
“They spread the ball around and have really good receivers,” Martin said. “They’re going to get them the ball.”
The Tigers won’t be able to sit back and wait for the pass with Forest Hill’s two speedy backs — or their quarterback, who can run and throw.
For McComb’s offense, the athletes on the defensive side will make it tough for the Tigers.
“They have a good defensive front, and you can’t get behind their secondary,” Martin said.
The Tigers are a long way from where they started.
“We’ve had ninth-graders having to play, and we’ve had guys playing like ninth-graders,” Martin said. “But they’re getting in the right places.
“We’re not young anymore. We’re making plays and doing good things.”
One more win and the Tigers will get an extra game against either Picayune or D’Iberville, which would only help.
“It’s another game to teach,” Martin said. “It’s one step closer to where you want to be next year.”
