Peach County focused on Pike County, not Jackson

Peach County head coach Chad Campbell is certainly aware of what game is on the Trojans’ schedule next week. And he knows his players and the team’s fans are aware of it, as well.

But the Trojans are focused on Pike County. Once Friday’s game in Zebulon is complete, they will turn their focus to Jackson and the likely GHSA Region 4-3A championship game.

“I think everybody’s looking forward to next week, but not us,” Campbell said. “We’ve got to keep taking care of business. We didn’t take care of business last year, and it got us. They remember (that), and they understand the importance of playoff seedings. You can have a harder road, and we just have to take one game at a time.

“I told them two weeks ago that every game is a playoff game from here on out. That’s the way we’re approaching every game as a must-win, and that’s the approach we need to take every week.”

The Trojans found out the hard way last season just how difficult things can be in the postseason. In the second round, Peach County had to play on the road against perennial powerhouse Calhoun and dropped a 20-14 decision in overtime.

This season, the Trojans are 7-1 overall and riding a seven-game winning streak. They are 4-0 in the region and tied with Jackson for first place. The two teams face off next week in Jackson, but first, the Trojans must get past Pike County (5-3, 2-2), and Jackson must clear Kendrick (0-8, 0-4).

“You don’t always know what’s going on inside those dang teenagers’ heads,” Campbell said. “But I think they understand. The kids have watched film on Pike. They’ve got a decent football team. They kind of grind you out and bleed you with their offense and still have the capability of hitting the home run, and we just can’t let them do that. If we can stop them from 3- and 4-yarding us to death and controlling the clock, we can be successful.”

The Trojans have been successful taking care of the ball while playing strong defense and being efficient with their special teams. Peach County has won its past three games by a combined score of 135-0. Quarterback Antonio Gilbert has completed 65-of-112 passes for 794 yards, and he has plenty of weapons around him.

Chris Gibson leads the team with 270 rushing yards, while James Jackson has added 224 and five touchdowns. Kearis Jackson has 13 catches for 149 yards, while Devontea Howard has nine catches for 148 yards and five touchdowns, and Justin Harris has 12 catches for 170 yards and a score.

“I think we’re playing better. We haven’t turned the ball over in quite awhile. We’re protecting the football,” Campbell said. “Our kicking game’s been good. We’re playing good defense the last month or so. When you play good defense, and your kicking game is good, and you’re not turning the ball over, and we’ve been kind of healthy, I think you can be successful if you do those things.

“The quarterback’s playing well. He’s throwing the ball well, and he’s starting to understand things a lot better. Our offensive line came together and has been playing better, and we’ve got a good group of playmakers on the outside, probably as good as we’ve ever had, as talented as we’ve had. We just want to keep playing well.”

This story was originally published October 27, 2016 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Peach County focused on Pike County, not Jackson."