So far, the Petal Panthers are doing exactly what they have to do to earn their 11th straight playoff berth. After the 0-3 start in region play, they have to win out to accomplish that feat. With two wins down, Petal has two more to go as the regular season comes to a close next Friday.
Petal has built up momentum after wins over Jim Hill and Meridian, and it’s trying to ride that to two more wins.
“This is the first time (this year) we’ve won two games in a row, so that’s something we’re proud of,” Petal coach Marcus Boyles said. “I think our kids are playing well right now. I think we’re practicing well and that’s showing up on Friday nights.”
Petal doesn’t have to leave town during this final two-game stretch either, which gives the Panthers a huge advantage as they try to clinch the fourth and final spot in the playoffs.
“Home field advantage is really nice, so finishing these last two that we’ve got to win, it’s really big,” Boyles said. “We just have to go out and take care of business. Playing in front of the home crowd certainly helps. You’re used to everything at home. You know where everything is at, you know how the routine is going to work and there are no changes. You don’t expect anything unusual at home.”
George County comes to town with a 3-7 overall record and a 2-3 mark in region play. It’s coming off its biggest win of the season, shutting out Terry at home for Homecoming.
The other two wins came over Greene County – a really good 4A team – and Jim Hill, while teams like Brandon, Pearl, Oak Grove and East Central have won big over the Rebels.
Besides a 46-point performance against Jim Hill, the Rebels are averaging six points per game on offense and they’ve been shut out four times. Adding in the 46 points, George County averages 10 points per game, and there’s no doubt it’s been tough for the offense this season.
Senior Ja’vion Riley leads the team with 461 rushing yards and a touchdown on 127 carries – a 3.6-yard per carry average – and his best game came last week. Twenty-five percent of his production came Friday against Terry, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown on 26 attempts.
“The offense has been struggling,” Boyles said. “They have a couple of playmakers, but they’ve been struggling getting points on the board.”
George County is known for its defense, though. Good teams have been able to put up points on the Rebels, but for the most part, they’ve held teams down waiting for the offense to get things going. Usually, though, the offense can’t find the end zone and the defense gets worn down late in the game.
Gulfport could only score 14 points on George County, Greene County was held to seven and Ocean Springs scored 13 in an overtime game. Lately, Pearl’s 41 points, Brandon scoring 43 and Oak Grove 39-point game have hurt the Rebels’ average.
Junior McKinnley Jackson highlights the defense with 24 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He’s also caused three fumbles while recovering one.
“He’s a great player and his motor runs at a high speed,” Boyles said. “Of all the defensive linemen we’ve played, by far he’s the best one we’re fixing to play against. You better have a couple guys ready to block him because you’re not going to single block him. That’s just not going to happen. You better know where he is because they do a good job of moving him around.”
