Red Bay can extend playoff streak with victory against Cherokee
Red Bay running back Chase Lindsey (2), quarterback Hunter Childers (12) and receiver Marco Bostick (20) will try to lead the Tigers past Cherokee Friday night to earn a playoff berth. | Scot Beard/FCT
RED BAY — Thanks to a 26-7 victory against county rival Phil Campbell last week Red Bay controls its playoff destiny.
Following the game Red Bay coach Dale Jeffreys knew the playoff hopes were still alive for his team, but did not want to guarantee anything.
“We have to wait and see,” Jeffreys said. “This region is whacked out.”
Following the conclusion of last Friday’s games, Red Bay was in fourth place of the region standings. A win this week against Cherokee will secure a playoff berth for the Tigers.
The Tigers still have a shot of making the playoffs if they lose — as long as Lamar County also loses.
If Red Bay and Lamar County are both 3-3 in region play, but the Tigers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.
If both teams win, Red Bay makes the playoffs. If both teams lose, Red Bay makes the playoffs.
If Lamar County wins and Red Bay loses, Lamar County makes the playoffs and the Tigers streak of playoff appearances comes to an end.
There is even a possibility that Red Bay could end up in a four-way tie with Lamar County, Phil Campbell and Hatton for the final playoff spot. Since Red Bay defeated all of those teams, it would get the playoff berth.
But the Tigers are not focusing on tiebreakers. They want to win Friday night and not have to worry about other teams.
It should not be too much of a problem.
Cherokee has struggled all season on both sides of the ball.
The Indians are scoring a meager seven points per game. The most they have scored in a single game is 19 points. The Cherokee offense has been held to seven points or less in six of their eight games, including two shutouts.
Red Bay’s defense has been one of the strongest parts of the team this year, and is one of only three teams in the region not to give up more than 100 points to region opponents.
The defensive unit held Phil Campbell’s potent offense to seven points last week. Red Bay is allowing 19.5 points per game.
The Tiger offense will also have the opportunity to put up some impressive numbers this week. The Tigers are averaging 18.3 points per game, but are facing one of the worst defenses in the region.
Cherokee is surrendering 40.8 points per game.
The lowest point total they have given up was seven points to Vina in the opening week of the season. The Indians have allowed at least 40 points in each of the other seven games they have played this year.
Cherokee leads the all-time series 24-21.
