Mark Farriba credits players for Stratford's success

As much as Stratford head coach Mark Farriba would love to take credit for his team's success, he simply won't let himself do it.

The Eagles, winners of three in a row, face their biggest sub-region test of the season Friday as they host a Twiggs County team that has also won its past three games.

"I would say it is the coaching, but that's just not the case," Farriba joked. "Our kids have bought in, and we've got some players across the board that are really playing well. We've been able to do a lot of things and be multi-dimensional, and it has been fun to watch. The players are the ones who are getting it done out there."

The second meeting between the two programs also will pit the top Middle Georgia public and private schools in the GHSA power ratings. Ranked No. 11 in the private school power ratings, Stratford is the only Bibb County private school team listed in the top 16 that qualify for the postseason.

Twiggs County is the top Middle Georgia public school team, ranked 11th.

Stratford has been efficient on both sides of the ball in the past three games, outscoring opponents 150-41, while jumping out to a 2-0 sub-region record in the process.

And while Twiggs County hasn't put up the gaudy offensive numbers that Stratford has been able to produce, the Cobras have been able to stifle their past three opponents with great defensive effort, holding those teams to just 25 combined points.

"We have a lot of kids who just work hard," Twiggs County head coach Ashley Harden said. "What has surprised me has been our ability to keep fighting even when things go wrong. Our offense has started off slow a couple of games and the defense has held on for us, but nobody is pointing fingers or anything like that. If something goes wrong, we just move to the next play."

The stingy defense of the Cobras will be put to the test against Stratford as the Eagles can score in a variety of ways. In last week's victory over Tattnall Square, senior Quintez Cephus touched the ball just five times, but he made the most of those chances. Cephus caught three touchdowns on just four catches for 65 yards and also scored on the ground, on a 40-yard touchdown run.

In addition to the play-making ability of Cephus, Stratford rolls out O'Showen Williams, who racked up 100 yards on just 12 carries last week.

"We're going to have to do what we do best, and that is being disciplined and limiting our mental mistakes," Harden said. "Stratford is a very, very good football team. They've got a big-play guy on the outside, and he makes them go in the passing game. We have to account for him at all times. A key will be if we can keep (Stratford's) offense on the sideline if possible and limit their possessions."

This story was originally published October 15, 2015 at 11:26 PM with the headline "Mark Farriba credits players for Stratford's success ."