Purvis finally snapped its three-game losing streak with a 35-6 win over rival Forrest County Agricultural.
The win gives Purvis a chance to decide its destiny with a winner-takes-all game against Greene County to get into the playoffs, most likely as the No. 4 seed.
“It is up to us,” Purvis coach Brad Hankins said. “We have a test ahead of us. That bunch from Greene County is good. Their record doesn’t show it because they have dealt with quarantine like everybody else. They are big and fast and physical.”
The showdown between Purvis and Greene County was set up by a 415 rushing yard performance by Purvis in its win over FCAHS. Keoki Laphand ran for 100 yards and a touchdown while running back Ty Badon, who returned for his first game in two weeks, totaled 90 yards and three touchdowns.
“I thought we had a pretty good week of practice,” Hankins said. “We try to preach that you win Monday through Thursday, not just on Friday night. It was one of those things where I thought we went out and played real well. I thought it was the best ball game we have played as an offensive line. Our running backs did a great job. It was a real good situation offensively. Defensively, I thought we had a great plan, and we got after it.”
Poplarville clinched the region and the No.1 seed after it defeated Greene County 48-7 last week, while Stone has clinched the No. 2 seed. For Sumrall, FCAHS and Purvis, the playoff scenarios vary.
If Stone beats FCAHS, then Sumrall is the No. 3 seed, and the Purvis-Greene County game winner will become the No. 4 seed.
If FCAHS beats Stone and Purvis defeats Greene County, then Purvis would be the No. 3 seed while FCAHS would be the No. 4 seed. However, if FCAHS beats Stone and Greene County defeats Purvis, then Sumrall would be the No. 3 seed and Greene County would clinch the No. 4 seed.
For Purvis, the stakes are simple – win to get into the playoffs.
“It’s win to get in,” Hankins said. “This is a pretty important week. If you can get fired up for this, then your wood is wet because you can control everything. If you win, then you keep playing football, and if you don’t, then it’s on to next year.”
Greene County (3-3, 1-3) has struggled in region play as the Wildcats have lost three of their last four games.
On offense, Greene County has averaged 16 points per game but has averaged 12 points per game in region play.
The Wildcats are a run-heavy offense that primarily switches between running backs Kayden Miller and Dalarrus Cooper. Miller has rushed for 483 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 10.5 yards per carry. Cooper has recorded 338 yards and three touchdowns on 67 carries.
“They are big up front,” Hankins said. “Every one of their running backs can run. It is a scary deal for us because they are a good football team. Their offensive line is so big. They have got a couple of 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-5 linemen and then a few 6-foot-3 guys that look small compared to the other ones because they are so big.
“They are also fast. (Miller) can really run. He can fly, and if you put your head in the wrong gap, then it’s a bad deal.”
Defensively, Greene County has held teams to 19 points per game but has allowed 32.5 points in region play. Despite the defensive issues, the Wildcats have had success getting behind the line of scrimmage and have recorded 52.2 tackles for loss, five sacks and nine turnovers.
“They cover well and play man-to-man,” Hankins said. “They will get up in you and get after you. With every situation, we are going to have to work for what we get.”
