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Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Region 2-AAA ready for playoffs

Region 2-AAA could be ready to flex its muscles in the GISA Class AAA playoffs starting tonight.

Region champion Tattnall Square hosts John Milledge, while FPD plays host to Trinity Christian. Mount de Sales and Stratford will be on the road against Gatewood and Pinewood, respectively. The Region 2-AAA teams were 3-0 against their first-round opponents during the regular season.

Tattnall Square beat John Milledge 38-0, while FPD beat Trinity Christian 63-0, and Stratford beat Pinewood 31-14. Mount de Sales and Gatewood did not play during the regular season.

“All the region coaches, we’ve talked about we’re all good enough to get to the semifinals,” Mount de Sales head coach Robert Slocum said. “Playing in this region really helps all of us.”

The Cavaliers started the season 1-4 but rallied for a 4-6 season. In region play, they lost a close one to Tattnall before beating Stratford and losing to FPD.

“We played well against Tattnall and Stratford, and then we had a chance to play for home-field advantage against FPD,” Slocum said. “But we didn’t play well in that game. They scored on us early, and we came back and had a chance to score and didn’t, and I told the kids that was the difference in the game.”

Tattnall head coach Barney Hester could see a real difference in his team as the season progressed.

The Trojans started 1-2 with losses to Deerfield-Windsor and Westfield but won their final seven games to enter the playoffs at 8-2. Tattnall won its three region games by a total of 17 points.

“We have progressed beyond my wildest imagination,” Hester said. “We really play as a unit and don’t have any real individuals. Some nights the defense plays great, and there are other nights where the offense has to carry us. Each week, it seems it’s someone else winning the game for us.”

FPD finished its bounceback season with an 8-2 record and the No. 2 seed from the region. The Vikings went 3-8 last season but started their final season in the GISA before they move to the GHSA with six straight victories. FPD’s losses came to Tattnall and Westfield.

Stratford (4-6) had an up-and-down season that finished with three straight losses in region play. Once again, Marquez Lemon has led the way for the Eagles, rushing for 1,170 yards and 12 touchdowns.