Last week the Orangefield Bobcats clinched a spot in the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Coach Josh Smalley indicates the goal now is to improve the Bobcats’ seeding in the post season. Smalley expresses the kids are excited about achieving their goal of becoming the first Orangefield team in several decades to make the playoffs in four consecutive seasons. “Definitely not satisfied, we’ve still got a lot more season left we want to play and lot better things we want to do,” Smalley confides.
This week Orangefield faces Hardin-Jefferson which upset Liberty last week. Smalley analyzes the offense used by the Hawks. They run the Slot-T just like the Bobcats. The coach says he saw Hardin-Jefferson earlier in the season against Little Cypress-Mauriceville, and the Hawks are running it a lot better than they did at that point of the season.
The Hawks spread the ball around with their running game. Tailback Mason Murray has rushed for 425 yards and fullback Cole Priddy has six touchdowns to go with his 408 yards on the ground. Kelechi Nwachuku and Talon Tilley have combined for over 400 yards as well. Smalley admits, “We’ve got a big night waiting on us Friday.”
Hardin-Jefferson has got some good players on the defensive side of the ball. Coach Smalley looks at the Hawks on defense. Their base is the 4-3 also like Orangefield, but last season the Hawks played in a Double Eagle look against the Bobcats. Tilley is a leader on the defense at linebacker where he is joined by Nwachuku at linebacker. Priddy plays some good defense in the Hawks’ secondary. Smalley advises Hardin-Jefferson is playing hard and with a lot of confidence on defense.
The winner Friday night could clinch at least a third place finish in the district. Smalley indicates the game like so many key contest could come down to turnovers. The Bobcats cannot afford to turn the ball over as the Hawks have been very opportunistic in their two biggest wins this season getting four takeaways against Jasper and five last week in Liberty.
The Bobcats need to avoid foolish penalties like they had last week against Hamshire-Fannett. Orangefield must also recognize formations since the Hawks will shift into unbalanced lines. Coach Smalley predicts a good game Friday night in Sour Lake.
The Orangefield Bobcats go on the road to play the Hardin-Jefferson Hawks. The kickoff will be at 7:30 PM on Friday in Sour Lake.
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